NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The EMU women's volleyball team wrapped up its 2022 non-conference schedule Friday, taking on Christopher Newport.

The Captains used multiple-point rallies in two of the three sets to pick up a 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-20) win over the Royals.

Records: EMU 7-12, 4-6 ODAC | Christopher Newport 15-11, 1-4 C2C

Highlights

Set One

EMU jumped out to a 9-6 lead, using kills from Lizzy Kirkton, Bri Leeper, Paris Hutchinson and a block from Kirkton and Laney Cline, to take the three-point lead. CNU answered, however, with a 10-0 run, pulling ahead 16-9, before a Cline kill stopped the run. The Royals reeled off three straight, with points from Hutchinson and Madison Stockner, to pull within four at 13-17, but that would be as close as they got as the Captain closed out the set picking up eight of the next 11 to take a 1-0 lead.

Set Two

CNU took an early lead but the Royals kept the Captains in their sights, never allowing CNU to pull ahead by more than two points through the sets first 20 points. With CNU ahead 11-9, the Captains picked up four straight to extend their lead to six before an error cut the lead back to give. The teams exchanged points until EMU went on a 3-1 run, highlighted by a trio of Hutchinson kills, to cut the CNU lead to 16-13. But just like the first set, CNU would pick up the set win, scoring nine of the next 12 points, to go ahead 2-0.

Set Three

Stockner and Hutchinson picked up a big block to start the third that seemed to set the tone for EMU through the set's first 19 points. A Mara Woolford ace and kills from Stockner, Kirkton and Hutchinson, along with another block from Cline and Hutchinson, gave EMU an 11-8 lead. CNU then reeled off seven straight, forcing an EMU timeout. The Royals continued to fight and, trailing 13-17, went on a 3-0 run to cut the Captains lead to one. They continued to keep things close but CNU had a 5-2 advantage in the final seven points to pick up the win.

Statistical Leaders

Hutchinson – 12 kills, 6 digs, 2 blocks

Megan Miller – 21 assists, 3 digs

Kirkton – 7 kills, 5 digs

What's Next

EMU will wrap up its road slate on Wednesday when they head to Winchester for an ODAC matchup at Shenandoah. First serve is slated for 6 pm.

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