The Royals had ODAC-leading Washington and Lee on the ropes.

The EMU volleyball women were at set point four times in the opening set against W&L, but the Generals fought off each one in an extended start to Sunday's match in Harrisonburg. Eventually Washington and Lee got a set-winning block to squeak out a 34-32 score, and that momentum carried into a 3-0 win for the Generals.

But the wild opener, filled with 18 ties and eight lead changes, proved the Eastern Mennonite women can play with anyone. The Royals originally worked to a 14-9 lead, and then recovered after the Generals flipped in front. A 7-2 push had EMU ahead 24-22 before W&L extended the set.

The Royals slide to 3-8 overall and 3-7 in ODAC play, while Washington and Lee remains perfect at 10-0 overall and 8-0 in the ODAC. EMU still has a chance to get into the eight-team ODAC Tournament, but will need to knock off Randolph-Macon (6-3/5-3 ODAC) on the road next Sunday, as well as hope Emory & Henry falls to Bridgewater during the week.

The women lost some momentum after that thrilling opening set against the Generals. The visitors scored the first five in the second and then held off a late 5-0 run from EMU in a 25-18 score. The Royals scored first in the final set and had ties all the way to 8-8 before W&L build a little margin and carried it to a 25-16 final.

Blocking was key in the contest as the Generals made ten blocks to limit EMU to a .142 hitting percentage. Paris Hutchinson (Waynesboro, Va./Wilson Memorial) had 13 kills to lead all players while Hannah Johnson (Staunton, Va./Wilson Memorial) had seven kills. Andrea Troyer (Harrisonburg, Va./Broadway) and Lizzy Kirkton (Goshen, Ind./Goshen) each had five kills. Setter Tori Wigley (Elkton, Va./East Rockingham) had 27 assists.

Heather Phelps (Moseley, Va./Cosby) led the defensive net presence with four blocks. Abby Kaufman (Maplewood, Mo./Maplewood Richmond Heights) had a match high 12 digs.

Courtney Berry led W&L with 11 kills and three blocks while fellow middle Katy Blain had six kills and seven blocks.