BRIDGEWATER, Va. – The Royals volleyball team kicked off its 2021 season on Friday, squaring off against Marymount on the first day of the Route 42 Classic, hosted by Bridgewater College. EMU jumped out to a 2-1 set lead but the Saints stormed back, taking the next two, and the match, 3-2.

Highlights

• EMU dominated out of the gate, leading by as many as 14 in the first before ultimately winning 25-10.
• The two teams traded points in the second set, with Marymount leading for most but never able to pull ahead by more than three. With the set tied at 20, they went on a 5-2 run to take it.
• The third set was also back and forth, with the Saints taking a 23-20 lead late. But EMU used a 5-0 run to take a 2-1 lead.
• The Royals never led in the fourth with Marymount picking up the set win to tie the match.
• EMU jumped out to an early 5-4 lead in the deciding set but the Saints went on a 5-0 run and ended the match on an 11-3 run to pick up the victory.
• Outside hitter, Lizzy Kirkton, paced the Royals with 19 kills to go along with five aces and nine digs.
• Paris Hutchinson kicked off the season with a double-double, putting down 19 kills and 15 digs. She also hit a blistering .366 on the night.
• Megan Miller finished with just as many assists (47) as the entire Marymount team.

Inside the Numbers

• In their opening set win, EMU hit a staggering .500 and had four aces. Marymount responded with a big fifth set, hitting .636.
• Kirkton's 19 kills was a career high, as she never had more than 11 before tonight.
• The Royals outblocked the Saints 7-3 at the net.
• EMU (9) tripled the number of service errors made by Marymount (3).

What's Next

EMU will be back in action on Saturday as they continue at the Route 42 Classic. They'll take on Salem at 10 am before battling cross-town rival and host, Bridgewater, at noon.

To keep up to date with everything surrounding the volleyball program this year follow EMU on Twitter and Instagram, like EMU Athletics on Facebook or visit our website.