DANVILLE, Va. – The EMU women's volleyball team wrapped up its 2022 season on Wednesday, falling 3-1 (18-25, 8-25, 30-28, -25) to Averett in the ODAC quarterfinals.

Records: EMU 8-14, 5-7 ODAC | Averett 19-10, 10-2 ODAC

Set One

The Royals pulled ahead very early, taking a 2-0 lead after a Paris Hutchinson kill and a Mara Woolford ace. Averett responded with four straight to take a 4-2 lead before a Cougar ball handling error pulled EMU within one. The Cougars would continue to hold a lead, but EMU would keep them within reach. After a Laney Cline kill pulled the Royals within three at 12-15, AU went on a 5-1 run to take a 20-13 lead. EMU answered with kills from Cline, Lizzy Kirkton and Megan Miller to pull back within four, 20-16. The Cougars would end the set, however, scoring five of the next seven points to take a 1-0 lead.

Set Two

Averett started set two on an 8-2 run before Bri Leeper picked up a kill, pulling the Royals to within five. The Cougars would then, however, close out the set, outscoring EMU 17-6 to take a two-set lead.

Set Three

Hutchinson grabbed a pair of kills, Kaitlyn Custis added one and a big block from Miller and Cline gave EMU a 5-4 lead to start the third set. After AU pulled ahead, 7-6, EMU went on a 3-0 run with kills from Hutchinson and Kirkton to retake the lead. The teams traded points until, with things tied at 13, EMU scored three straight with kills from Mara Woolford and a Hutchinson ace, forcing an Averett timeout. AU responded with a 4-1 run of their own to tie things at 17. After AU had take a two-point lead, 23-21, EMU responded with a kill and a big block from Cline and Woolford to tie things again, causing the Cougars to call timeout. Things went back and forth, with plenty of drama, as the set went to extra points. With AU on match point, a Cline kill and a huge block from Stockner and Kirkton put EMU ahead 28-27. After the Cougars tied things again, the Royals finished off the set with a Kirkton kill and an error.

Set Four

The Cougars pulled out to a 6-2 lead before a Hutchinson kill brought the Royals back within three. The teams went back and forth before Averett went on a 3-0 and cause EMU to take a timeout. Out of the break, an error and a Kenley Smith kill cut into the Cougar lead. AU answered, however, finishing the set on a 13-4 run to take the final set, and the match.

Statistical Leaders

Hutchinson – 9 kills, 15 digs

Miller – 18 assists

Custis – 15 assists

Kirkton – 8 kills, 8 digs

Manuela Marin – 14 digs

What's Next

This wraps up the season for the Royals, but things look bright for the future. EMU had no seniors on this year's squad and will return the whole team for the 2023 season.