LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Royals wrapped up ODAC play Tuesday night, heading to Lynchburg for a little Halloween showdown with Randolph College.

It turned out to be more treats than tricks for the Royals, however, as Randolph took the first two sets in extra points before EMU stormed back for the reverse sweep, winning 3-2 (27-25, 27-25, 25-20, 25-17, 15-10).  

Records: EMU 11-15, 5-7 ODAC | Randolph 13-14, 3-8 ODAC

Highlights

• The WildCats jumped out to a 7-3 lead to start the match before a pair of kills from Sophia Denby and a Randolph error, cut their lead to 8-6. Three straight from EMU tied things at nine and the teams traded points to 12-all. Randolph scored three of the next four to take a 15-13 lead but the Royals answered with an 8-1 run, highlighted by kills from Mara Woolford and a block from Woolford and Madison Stockner, to take a 21-16 lead and force a Randolph timeout. Out of the break, the WildCats scored four straight, with EMU then taking a timeout to slow the momentum. Randolph pulled ahead to set point, 24-23, before a Lizzy Kirkton kill forced extra points. Another Kirkton kill tied things at 25 but a Randolph kill and ace gave them a 1-0 lead.
• Kills from Woolford and Kirkton helped EMU to a 4-2 lead to start the second set before RC tied things at four. EMU then went on a 5-1 run with points from two Denby kills and aces from Megan Miller and Kirkton, to pull ahead 9-5. After Randolph tied things at 10, EMU went on a 9-5 tilt, taking a four-point lead before Randolph added three straight to pull back within one. Kills from Denby, Woolford and a Randolph attack error gave the Royals a set-point 24-18 lead, but the WildCats responded with a 9-1 run to take the set and a 2-0 lead.
• With Randolph ahead 2-0 in the third set, EMU scored five straight from a pair of WildCat errors, a kill from Denby, a Kirkton ace and a block from Denby and Kenley Smith. Randolph pulled back even with the Royals and the teams traded points to RC leading 7-6. EMU answered with a 5-1 run, but once again, Randolph would battle back and eventually take a one-point lead, 15-14. But the Royals wouldn't quit, answering with a back-to-back aces from Kirkton and kills from Denby and Miller, to take a 20-16 lead. Randolph would be able to get within two but a pair of errors and kills from Denby and Laney Cline gave EMU the set.
• It was a back-and-forth affair to start the fourth set with neither team able to take more than a one-point lead through the first 20 points. But with things tied at 10, EMU used three Woolford kills, one from Stockner and a Karla Hostetter ace, to pull ahead 15-11. Later in the set, with the Royals leading 16-14, EMU once again went on a run, this time 9-3, to pull within one point of tying the match. A Randolph kill cut their lead to seven but Woolford put the finishing touches on her big set with a kill, to send the match to five.
• EMU started ahead 6-2 in the final frame, picking up kills from Denby and Smith, an ace from Manuela Marin and a block from Denby and Stockner. Randolph clawed its way back to tie the set at seven, but four straight EMU kills put them in front 11-7. Randolph would get as close as 11-9, but a Kirkton kill and an attack error sealed the Royals win.

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Denby (17), Woolford (15), Cline and Kirkton (11)
Assists: Miller (30), Hostetter (25)
Digs: Kirkton (27), Marin (22), Woolford (12)
Aces: Kirkton (5), Hostetter (3)
Blocks: Stockner and Denby (2)

What's Next
EMU will wrap up their 2023 season on Saturday when they head to Maryland to take on Hood College. First serve is set for 1 pm. 

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