SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – EMU wrapped up its opening weekend on Saturday, splitting a doubleheader at the Wittenberg Classic.

The Royals took down Roanoke, 3-2 (27-25, 23-25, 25-17, 17-25, 15-13), before falling to host Wittenberg in the finale, 3-1 (20-25, 25-23, 10-25, 19-25).

EMU vs Roanoke

Record:  EMU 1-1, 0-0 CVC | Roanoke College 0-2, 0-0 CVC

Highlights

Set One

Roanoke jumped out to a big 14-5 lead over the Royals and maintained a big lead to 18-11. EMU then went on a 5-0 run highlighted by a pair of blocks from David Ward and AJ Bagby and a Tyler Oaks ace, to force a Roanoke timeout. The Maroons continued to stay on top with a slim margin until, with Roanoke leading 23-21, EMU used a Walter Spurlock kill and a pair of Roanoke errors to pull ahead 24-23. The Maroons scored two straight to get to set point, but an Oaks kill, a Ben Childers ace and an attack error gave EMU the set win.

Set Two

The teams traded points to a 17-16 RC lead before EMU went on a 4-0 run with points from Spurlock, Ward and Christopher Webster, to go up 20-17. Roanoke battled back and tied things and the set stayed tight, with EMU holding a 23-22 lead before the Maroons picked up three straight points to knot things at one set apiece.

Set Three

The Royals never trailed in set three, keeping a one to two point lead until Roanoke was able to tie things at 10-10. Back-to-back kills from Ward and a Nate McGhee ace gave EMU a cushion, that they would maintain and eventually extend to a six-point lead. After Roanoke pulled within five at 22-17, EMU ended the set with a Spurlock kill and two aces from Bagby.

Set Four

It was a 10-4 Roanoke run that was the turning point in the fourth set. With EMU ahead 5-4 , Roanoke's run put them ahead 14-9 and forced EMU to call timeout. A McGhee kill, a Spurlock ace and a pair of Roanoke errors cut the Maroons lead to one and the teams, like much of the match, traded points to RC up 18-16. Unfortunately for the Royals, Roanoke was able to pick up the set win, scoring seven of the next eight points to force a decisive fifth set.

Set Five

Roanoke jumped ahead 10-6 in the final frame before EMU fought back, tying things at 10, with kills from Childers and McGhee. The Maroons picked up a small lead, up 13-12, before EMU closed out the set, and the match, with kills from Ward and Spurlock and a match-ending block from Spurlock and Bagby.

Statistical Leaders

McGhee – 20 kills, 11 digs, 2 blocks

Spurlock – 14 kills, 15 digs, 2 blocks

Oaks – 45 assists, 5 digs, 2 aces

Defense – 15 total blocks

Postmatch Words from Coach Hoyos

Roanoke match was a hard fought battle. Poor execution at key moments did not allow us to close the match earlier. We started slow in set 5 but were able to regroup and adjust for the win.

EMU vs Wittenberg

Records: EMU 1-2, 0-0 CVC | Wittenberg 3-0, 0-0 MVCL

Highlights

Set One

After the Royals took a quick lead, Wittenberg went on a 4-0 run to cause EMU to call a timeout. Midway through the set, EMU went on an 8-2 tilt, with points from McGhee, Ward and a block from McGhee and Oaks, to take an 11-8 lead. The Tigers then went on run of their own, 14-4, to pull ahead 22-15. After a Royals TO, Spurlock picked up two points as part of a 4-1 Royals run, but Wittenberg finished the set with two of three, to pull ahead 1-0.

Set Two

The teams went back-and-forth through the first 27 points before a 4-0 EMU run forced a Tigers timeout, with EMU ahead 14-13. EMU continued to answer Wittenberg's offense, maintaining a slim lead until another 4-0 Royals run gave them a 23-18 advantage. With EMU holding a set-point, Wittenberg clawed back to 24-23, but McGhee ended the set with a kill, tying things at one.

Set Three

The third set was a rough one for EMU as Wittenberg was able to put together an 11-0 run to move ahead 18-5. EMU was only able to pick up five more points in the set, trailing 2-1 heading to the fourth.

Set Four

With things tied at five in the third, Wittenberg picked up six straight to move ahead 11-5. They were able to keep a six-point lead to 16-10 but EMU responded with six of the next seven, highlighted by a Childers/Oaks block, a Childers kill and a Ward ace, to cut the Tigers lead to one. EMU kept things close, once again pulling with one, 20-19, but Wittenberg closed out the match on a 5-0 run to pick up the win.

Statistical Leaders

McGhee – 14 kills, 8 digs

Neo Carter – 17 digs

Oaks – 26 assists, 3 kills, 3 digs, 4 blocks

Spurlock/Ward – 8 kills

Postmatch Words from Coach Hoyos

The team was able to play at a high level for certain periods and compete against a good team. After losing the first set, we matched their intensity and won the second set. Team kept playing hard, before dropping the match in 4 sets. I am satisfied with the progress of this team. In only two weeks, they have adjusted to a new coach, structure and system. The future is promising.

What's Next

The Royals will head to Pennsylvania next weekend for a trio of matches. They'll take on Neumann University on Friday at 7 pm.

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