HARRISONBURG, Va. - Despite the final score, it was a night of celebration. 

With her fourth kill of the first set, senior Lizzy Kirkton notched her 500th career kill. But it was Virginia Wesleyan who escaped Harrisonburg with the win, 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-19) over EMU. 

Records: EMU 3-7, 0-2 ODAC | Virginia Wesleyan 12-2, 2-0 ODAC

Highlights

• With kills from Sophia Denby and three straight from Kirkton, EMU jumped out to a 5-3 lead. The Marlins responded with a 9-1 run to take a 12-6 lead before a Laney Cline kill ended the VWU run. Kills from Denby, Bella Short and Madison Stockner pulled EMU within six, but three straight from the Marlins extended their lead to nine, 20-11. Nine was as close as EMU would get as Virginia Wesleyan used a pair of kills to take a 1-0 lead. 
• EMU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in set two before VWU rallied with six straight. EMU answered with three of their own, a Megan Miller kill, a Sierra McVey ace and a Kirkton kill, to tie things at six. The Marlins went on a 6-2 run and then the teams traded points to a VWU lead, 17-13. EMU picked up three straight points, highlighted by a Denby kill, to pull within one, 17-16, but a 7-1 run pushed the Marlins lead to 24-17. EMU took advantage of a pair of Marlin errors but VWU ended the set with a kill. 
• After an EMU point to start the set, VWU scored four straight before a service error and a McVey ace pulled EMU within one. The teams went back-and-forth, with VWU leading 7-5, before EMU rallied for four straight: two errors and two Kirkton kills, to take a 9-7 lead. EMU continued to lead, eventually getting to 12-11, before the Marlins' 5-0 run put them in front by four. Later in the set, another 4-0 run from VWU pushed their lead to eight, 22-14 and they would wrap up the match scoring three of the final four points. 

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Kirkton (9), Denby (5)
Assists: Miller (13)
Digs: Kirkton (9), Mara Woolford (7)

What's Next
EMU will continue its ODAC homestand as they welcome Guilford to Yoder Arena on Friday. First serve is scheduled for 6 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.