HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Royals women's volleyball team returned to Yoder Arena Wednesday, playing at home for the first time since Oct. 3.

And what a return home it was for EMU as they took down visiting Shenandoah, 3-2 (17-25, 25-23, 25-23, 17-25, 15-7).

Records: EMU 8-13, 3-7 ODAC | Shenandoah 6-14, 2-8 ODAC

Highlights

• SU jumped out to an early 4-0 lead before the Royals stormed back with four straight off kills from Lizzy Kirkton, Mara Woolford and a pair from Laney Cline. The teams traded points to SU leading 15-11 before EMU picked up four of the next five from a pair of service aces and a Kirkton kill, to pull within one, 16-15. Shenandoah responded with a 9-2 run to finish out the set and take a 1-0 lead.
• This time it was the Royals pulling ahead to start set three, taking a 3-0 lead with a Karla Hostetter ace, a Cline kill and a block from Madison Stockner and Cline. The teams went back-and-forth with SU eventually taking a lead, pushing it to 17-14 midway through the set. EMU rallied with a 4-1 lead with back-to-back kills from Sophia Denby and kills from Stockner and Woolford to tie things at 18. Shenandoah pulled back ahead, taking a 22-19 lead but the Royals battled back with a 6-1 run, with a kill from Kirkton to finish the set and tie the match at one.
• Once again it was an even keeled start to set three, with things tied at 10 before EMU went on a 4-0 run with kills from Kirkton and Cline and a Megan Miller ace, to take a lead. Later in the set, a 6-1 SU run gave them a 20-19 lead. Three Hornet errors and a Kirkton kill gave EMU a two-point lead and they kept it, with Denby picking up the set point with a big kill.
• A 6-1 run started the fourth set for EMU before a 6-1 SU tilt tied things at seven. Shenandoah kept a small lead at 12-11 but was able to extend it with an 8-3 run. The Royals were able to pull within four after a service error and a Kirkton kill but the Hornets finished out the set with the final four points to force a fifth and final set.
• It was all Royals in the final set as two kills from Stockner and one from Kirkton gave them a 4-2 lead. After Shenandoah pulled within one at 5-4, EMU responded with a 6-1 run, highlighted by kills from Kirkton and Kenley Smith, to take an 11-5 advantage. SU was able to pick up two more points, and cut the Royals lead to 12-7, but a pair of kills from Woolford and a Stockner solo block put the finishing touches on the EMU win.

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Kirkton (14), Cline (13), Denby (10)
Assists: Hostetter (21), Miller (16)
Digs: Woolford (17), Manuela Marin (13), Kirkton (12)
Blocks: Stockner (5)
Aces: Woolford (5), Kirkton (3)

What's Next
EMU will be back on the court this weekend as they head to St. Mary's City, Maryland on Saturday for a non-conference tri-match. They'll take on Lancaster Bible at 2 pm before finishing up with host St. Mary's at 4.

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.