CHESTER, Pa. – After picking up a win on Friday, the EMU men's volleyball team looked to pick up two more on Saturday with a doubleheader.

They jumped ahead of Baruch, 2-0, but the Bearcats were able to rally for a 3-2 (25-23, 25-20, 17-25, 21-25, 13-15) win. The Royals responded by sweeping Widener 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-23) to wrap up the day.

EMU vs Baruch

Records: EMU 2-3, 0-0 CVC | Baruch 2-0, 0-0 CUNYAC

Highlights

Set One

The first set was a back-and-forth affair with neither team able to gain any momentum throughout. The Royals used a 3-0 run, with a blocks from Tyler Oaks and AJ Bagby along with a David Ward kill, to tie things at 10. They eventually took a one-point lead but Baruch rallied back to pull ahead 21-20. EMU scored four straight with a kill from Walter Spurlock, a block from Oaks and Ben Childers, an Oaks kill and a Ward ace, to go up 24-21. The Bearcats scored two but the Royals closed out the set with a Spurlock kill.

Set Two

The second set was another tight one, with the teams trading the lead until, with Baruch leading 15-14, EMU used points from Spurlock and Nate McGhee, to pull ahead by three. BC would cut the lead to two, twice, but a 4-0 run gave the Royals lead. They could close out the set with an ace from McGhee.

Set Three

EMU jumped out to a 7-5 lead before Baruch pulled ahead with a 5-0 run. A 3-2 EMU tilt, with kills from Ward and McGhee, pulled them within two, but the Bearcats responded with eight of the next 11 points to lead 20-13. A kill from Spurlock, an ace from Eric Martin and a kill from Oaks wasn't enough as BC closed out the set.

Set Four

With things tied at seven in the fourth, Baruch went on a 9-0 run before an error stopped the Royals scoring drought. With BC leading 18-11, EMU went on a 10-5 run to pull within two, but Baruch closed out the set with the final two points to force a decisive fifth.

Set Five

Baruch started the final frame on a 4-0 run, forcing an early EMU timeout. Later, a kill from Ward and a Ward/Childers block, cut the Bearcats lead to two. They were able to extend their lead to 14-8 but EMU wouldn't quit as they scored four straight from Ward and a pair of errors, to make the score 14-12. But, ultimately, Baruch would close things out to pick up the slim two-point set win and take the match, 3-2.

Statistical Leaders

Ward – 18 kills, 4 aces, 3 digs, 3 blocks

McGhee – 12 kills, 4 aces, 7 digs

Oaks – 36 assists

Postmatch Words from Coach Hoyos

The team played at a high level the first two sets, dominating the all-around match. Up 2-0, we just couldn't stay focused and clos the match. It is a learning experience for a team that, last year, only won 2 matches. Some of those tight games are going push them to become mentally tough.

EMU vs Widener

Records: EMU 3-3, 0-0 CVC | Widener 2-2, 0-0 Middle Atlantic

Highlights

Set One

After a long hard-fought match against Baruch, EMU came out blazing against Widener. The first set saw things go back and forth, with neither team leading by more than three. With Widener leading 19-18, EMU picked up points from Childers and three errors from the Pride, to pull ahead 22-20. They held a slim lead to 24-23 before a Ward kill wrapped up the set, giving EMU a 1-0 lead.

Set Two

Trailing 5-4 in the second, EMU went on a 6-1 run, highlighted by kills from Spurlock along with a Ward ace, to go up 10-6. Later in the set, with Widener trailing by just two, EMU went on a another run, this time 5-0, to extend their lead to seven. The Pride were able to pull within four, but EMU closed out the set on an error from Widener.

Set Three

The Royals trailed once again to start the third, but once again, a run, with points from Oaks and McGhee, put EMU ahead 10-9. The Pride rallied and pulled ahead 12-11 but EMU scored five straight and seven of nine to go ahead 18-14. They were able to maintain the lead but Widener tried to extend the match by pulling with one, 24-23. The Royals weren't having a second comeback a Spurlock kill gave the Royals their second sweep of the weekend.

Statistical Leaders

McGhee – 11 kills, 1 ace, 3 digs

Ward – 10 kills, 4 assists, 4 digs, 3 blocks

Oaks – 24 assists, 5 digs, 1 block

Postmatch Words from Coach Hoyos

We came out on fire with a mindset of being aggressive while not allowing a repeat of what happened in the previous match. We learned from the previous match to close out a game without opening a window of opportunity for the other team to regroup. I am very satisfied with how this team is growing and competing at a high level. Wins away from home are hard to get and we are learning to win away from home. That's great!!

What's Next

EMU will open up their 2023 home slate next Saturday with matches against PSU-Altoona and Arcadia. First serve against PSU-Altoona is at noon.