After a quick start, the Royals succumbed to visiting Virginia Wesleyan Wednesday night, dropping an ODAC sweep in women's volleyball action.

The loss snaps a four-match winning streak and leave Eastern Mennonite University at 7-3 after a very successful start to the year. EMU played nine of their first ten at home, but now play six in a row away from Yoder Arena. The women head to a non-conference tri-match at Penn State-Harrisburg this Sunday, starting with Gallaudet at 1:00pm.

The Royals triggered off their home energy to start against Virginia Wesleyan, jumping to a quick 7-3 lead. The edge grew to 12-7 after back-to-back kills from Meredith Stinnette (Lynch Station, Va./Altavista). But the Marlins made a run, tying the score at 13-13 and continuing to a 20-14 cushion. EMU didn't quit, but couldn't make up the difference in a 25-20 opener.

That pattern continued all night. Virginia Wesleyan scored the first six points of the second set, and EMU would get as close as 14-9 before falling 25-15.

Set three was tight until a 4-0 jab from the Marlins pushed them off a 9-9 tie. Amy Goodman (Midlothian, Va./Midlothian) had two kills to get within 18-17, and the margin was one again at 21-20, but Virginia Wesleyan had the power to hold on, 25-21.

The visitors simply out-hit EMU, .354 to .156. The Royals had five service errors to only three aces, marking the first time this season with more errors than aces.

Goodman finished with nine kills and just one error on 20 swings. Hannah Johnson (Staunton, Va./Wilson Memorial) added nine kills, 14 digs and three blocks.

Carly Gingerich (Goshen, Ind./Goshen) put up 15 assists, while Tori Wigley (Elkton, Va./East Rockingham) had 12. Ginny Sorrell (Spotsylvania, Va./Spotsylvania) added seven digs.