SALEM, Va. – After taking down the Maroons last year for the first time since 2001, the Royals women's volleyball team was looking to reach another milestone: beat Roanoke College in back-to-back seasons for the first time in two decades.

Mission Accomplished.

The Royals took the first, third and fourth sets en route to a 3-1 (25-18, 24-26, 30-28, 25-17) win over Roanoke.

Records: EMU 4-6, 2-2 ODAC | Roanoke 7-6, 2-3 ODAC

Highlights

Set One

Two quick points from Bri Leeper gave EMU an early 2-0 lead. The Maroons would tie things before EMU reeled off nine straight, highlighted by a kill from Paris Hutchinson and five straight aces from Mara Woolford, to take an 11-2 lead. Roanoke would pull within four at 12-16, but EMU answered with three straight to take a seven-point advantage. After the Maroons fought back to a three-point deficit at 18-21, the Royals picked up two kills from Leeper, a kill from Laney Cline and an RC error to take the first set.

Set Two

Set two was a nail biter. EMU once again jumped out to a quick lead but Roanoke responded, pulling ahead 6-5. The Royals used kills from Cline and Leeper as part of a 4-0 tilt and continued to keep the lead to 15-9. The Maroons went on a 6-0 run to tie things at 15 but EMU answered back and re-took the lead. The teams traded points until EMU was ahead 22-19 with an RC error and a Lizzy Kirkton kill. Roanoke rallied to tie things up at 22 but EMU picked up two points and was serving for the set, 24-23. The Maroons wouldn't go down without a fight and went on a 3-0 run to take the set in extra points.

Set Three

If you thought set two was exciting, set three was a barn burner. Both team played really well and neither was willing to give an inch. The biggest lead for either team was four, when EMU led 21-17 after a Megan Miller ace. Roanoke would eventually serve for the set three times, 24-23, 26-25 and 28-27, but each time EMU had an answer. A kill from Cline, a Roanoke error and another Cline kill kept EMU in the set, which was finished off with back-to-back Maroon attack errors.

Set Four

Roanoke pulled out to a 6-4 lead but an RC error and a Kenley Smith kill knotted things at six apiece. Things would continue to stay tied to 11 until EMU went on a 10-3 run highlighted by a Madelyn See/Hutchinson block, aces from Leeper and Hutchinson and kills from Smith, See and Hutchinson to go ahead 21-14. After Roanoke got back within five, more kills from Smith and a pair of RC errors gave EMU match point. Roanoke got a point back but Leeper put the cap on her stellar weekend with a kill to pick up the big ODAC win.

Statistical Leaders

• Hutchinson – 18 kills, 14 digs
• Leeper – 15 kills, 14 digs, 3 aces
• Miller – 51 assists, 13 digs
• Woolford – 6 aces, 15 digs
• Cline & Kirkton – 10 kills each

What's Next

EMU will make the long trek to Virginia Beach on Tuesday to take on Virginia Wesleyan in a big ODAC showdown. First serve is scheduled for 6:00 pm.

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