EMU's volleyball men suffered a 3-0 loss to nationally ranked Juniata College Saturday afternoon in Harrisonburg.

The loss to Juniata (11-5/4-1 CVC), ranked No. 14 in this week's national poll, drops the Royals to 3-6 overall and 1-3 in the Continental Volleyball Conference. They step back out of conference play next Saturday, playing Cal Lutheran in a neutral site match hosted by Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, Va.

Eastern Mennonite started well against Juniata, with Ben Childers (Chesterfield, Va./Matoaca) earning back-to-back kills for a quick 3-0 lead. But the Eagles were in control after that, rolling to a 25-9 decision in the first set.

The Royals regrouped and stayed close in each of the final two sets. A 4-0 run midway through the second gave Juniata a little space en route to a 25-20 score. In the third, the Eagles scored the final three to etch out another 25-20 decision.

Childers led EMU with eight kills. Tyler Oaks (Newport News, Va./Heritage) added five kills, all over the final two sets, while Jacob Durren (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) also had five kills. Drew Bennett (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks) had 19 assists.

Josh White (Chesapeake, Va./Bishop Sullivan) led the men's defensive presence at the net with four blocks, including two solo.

Will Phelan had 11 kills to lead Juniata, with Drew Hunker adding 10.