HARRISONBURG, Va. – The EMU women's volleyball team flexed its muscle on Saturday, picking up a pair of victories in a tri-match. The Royals downed Lancaster Bible 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-18) before taking down Mary Baldwin 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-14).

EMU vs Lancaster Bible

Records: EMU 2-5, 0-0 ODAC | Lancaster Bible 1-7, 0-0 United East

Highlights

Set One

The Chargers started out with a small lead before the teams traded points to 8-7 Royals. EMU then used kill and an ace from Lizzy Kirkton along with a pair of LBC errors to take a 12-7 lead and force a Charger timeout. After LBC pulled within three at 13-10, EMU went on a 7-1 run highlighted by kills from Paris Hutchinson and Mara Woolford, a block from Woolford and Madelyn See and aces from Megan Miller and Woolford. The Royals would finish out the set, forcing three straight Charger errors.

Set Two

After EMU started out ahead 7-3, the Chargers scored five straight to take an 8-7 lead and force an EMU timeout. Out of the break, the Royals reclaimed the lead on an error and two kills from Laney Cline. The two teams stayed tight, with LBC keeping within two, until EMU used points from Hutchinson, Cline and Kirkton to pull ahead for good. The Royals would close out the set on a 4-1 run to take a 2-0 lead.

Set Three

Once again it was a mid-set run, this time 6-0 by the Royals, that helped push them back in front after they trailed by three. Back to back Woolford kills, a block from Bella Short and Miller and two Kirkton aces put EMU ahead 12-9. The teams would trade blows to 15-all but EMU responded with a 6-0 run to lead 21-15. A Kirkton kill and ace would end the match and give the Royals the 3-0 sweep.

Statistical Leaders

• Woolford – 7 kills, six aces, 10 digs
• Hutchinson – 7 kills, 11 digs
• Miller- 28 assists
• Manuela Marin – 13 digs

Postmatch Interview with Coach Steinbrecher

EMU vs Mary Baldwin

Records: EMU 3-5, 0-0 ODAC | Lancaster Bible 1-12, 0-0 USA South

Highlights

Set One

EMU would jump out to a quick 5-0 lead on the Fighting Squirrels with Woolford, Hutchinson and Kirkton all picking up kills. MBU would hang around and eventually tie things at 15 apiece before the Royals ran away with things, using four Sierra McVey aces, a Woolford kill and multiple MBU errors to go on top 22-15. A kill by Hutchinson ended the first set and gave EMU a 1-0 lead.

Set Two

 This time it was Mary Baldwin that pulled ahead early, to the tune of 6-0 before EMU called a timeout. Whatever was said in the huddle worked as the Royals came back out with a 6-0 tilt of their own with aces by Woolford and a Kirkton kill. The teams would trade points, with Mary Baldwin taking multiple one-point leads before three straight Woolford aces put EMU on top for good. A kill from Bri Leeper gave EMU a 2-0 advantage with the second set win.

Set Three

Things were not as close in the final frame, but Mary Baldwin did fight to hang around. The Fighting Squirrels trailed by four, 10-14, until EMU used kills from Kirkton, Woolford and Sarah Campbell to go up by seven. Kills from Campbell, Miller and Kirkton would stretch the lead to 11 before Woolford put the finishing touches on her strong day with a kill to wrap things up.

Statistical Leaders

• Kirkton – 18 kills
• Woolford – 6 kills, 6 aces, 11 digs
• Miller – 28 assists

Postmatch Interview with L. Kirkton

What's Next

EMU will continue ODAC play on Tuesday when they welcome Washington and Lee to Yoder Arena. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 pm. 

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