HARRISONBURG, Va. - EMU kicked off the weekend with a Friday night ODAC showdown, welcoming in Guilford College. 

The Royals jumped out to leads in all three sets, but the Quakers battled back in each, picking up a 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-22) win. 

Records: EMU 3-8, 0-3 ODAC | Guilford 11-2, 2-0 ODAC

Highlights

• Kills from Laney Cline and Sophia Denby, along with a Megan Miller ace, helped EMU out to a 5-1 lead to open the match. The teams traded points until Guilford had pulled within three, 10-7. But EMU answered with two straight to push the lead back to five. GC answered with a 7-0 run before EMU tied things at 14 with another Cline kill and Miller ace. The Quakers scored seven of the next nine points to lead 21-16. The Royals would pull within four, but Guilford closed out the set with a kill. 
• EMU started hot in set two as well, pulling out to a 6-2 lead on a Denby kill, Mara Woolford service ace and Quaker errors. But, with EMU leading 8-3, GC answered again, this time with a 7-1 run, to take a 10-9 lead. After a 12-12 tie, Guilford picked up a 10-1 run to take a nine-point lead before back-to-back kills from Lizzy Kirkton stopped the tilt. EMU got within six with an error and another Kirkton kill, but two straight from GC ended the set. 
• The two teams came out swinging in set three, with neither able to pull ahead by more than three. After a Kirkton/Madison Stockner block put EMU ahead 6-3, Guilford tied things at six and eventually took a 9-8 lead. The Quakers maintained a small lead until late in the set, with GC leading 18-16, EMU stormed back and took a 20-18 lead with kills from Stockner, Cline, Kirkton and a Kirkton ace. But Guilford answered with five straight to re-take the lead, 23-20. EMU was able to pull within two, 23-21 and 24-22, but a kill from the Quakers secured the win. 

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Kirkton (9), Cline (8)
Assists: Miller (22)
Digs: Woolford (11)

What's Next
EMU won't have time to think about this one too much as they're back in action at home on Saturday. They take on Averett with a 1 pm first serve. 

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.