HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Royals women's volleyball team wrapped up their 2023 home slate Friday night, taking on Eastern University, while celebrating their three seniors. 

It was the Eagles who picked up the win, however, taking down EMU 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-17). 

Records: EMU 10-15, 4-7 ODAC | Eastern University 19-3, 6-0 MAC Commonwealth

Highlights

• After the Eagles took a 2-0 lead to start, EMU tied things up with a kill from Lizzy Kirkton and an Eastern error. EU then went on a 7-2 run before kills from Sophia Denby and Laney Cline, along with a Karla Hostetter ace, pulled EMU within two. A 5-0 Eagle run, later in the set, gave them a 16-8 lead but again, the Royals fought back with four of the next five, highlighted by kills from Denby and Kenley Smith, to cut the lead to five. Eastern answered with a 5-1 run and, even though EMU strung together three straight toward the end, used a kill to take a 1-0 lead. 
• The teams traded points to 6-6 to start set two, but then Eastern took an 11-7 lead with a 5-1 run. They continued to hold the lead, going back-and-forth in points, until a 4-0 EU run gave them a 22-14 lead. The Royals rallied with a 4-1 run of their own, picking up points from Madison Stockner and Cline, along with a Mara Woolford service ace, to cut the Eagles lead to five. But Eastern finished out the set with a kill and an EMU error to take a 2-0 lead. 
• An Eagle error and kills from Stockner and Cline, put EMU ahead early in the third. They would extend their lead to 8-4 after an error and three kills from Kirkton and they would continue to hold their lead to 10-8. But Eastern would respond, scoring six of seven, to take a 14-11 advantage. The Royals pulled back within one after points from Kirkton and Cline, and later in the set, a kill from Denby made the score 18-15 EU, but a 6-0 Eagles run gave Eastern a nine-point lead. An error and a Stockner kill would cut it to seven but a kill from Eastern would end the night for the Royals. 

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Denby (9), Cline (8)
Assists: Hostetter (14), MeganMiller (12)
Digs: Manuela Marin (8)

What's Next
EMU will wrap up ODAC play on Tuesday when they head to Lynchburg to take on Randolph College. First serve is set for 6:30 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.