HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Royals women's volleyball team was looking to pick up their first ODAC win on Saturday, while also knocking off the team that eliminated them from the 2022 ODAC tournament...and they both almost happened. 

EMU and Averett flip-flopped winning sets before the Cougars took the final set, in extra points, to pick up a 3-2 (15-25, 25-17, 14-25, 25-18, 17-15) win over EMU. 

Records: EMU 3-9, 0-4 ODAC | Averett 9-4, 3-0 ODAC

Highlights

• With a kill from Lindsay Bly, a Bly block and aces from Mara Woolford and Sierra McVey, EMU jumped out to a 7-4 lead. The Royals would keep ahead by three to 10-7 before opening up with a 5-1 run, highlighted by a kill from Lizzy Kirkton and a Bly/Laney Cline block. Averett would pull within four at 16-12 but EMU would put the set out of reach with a 7-1 run. A Cline kill and Cougar error gave the Royals a 1-0 lead. 
• This time it was Averett jumping out ahead, taking a 10-3 lead before an error and a Madison Stockner kill pulled EMU within five. Later in the set, AU extended their lead to nine, 16-7 and 20-11, before EMU fought back with kills from Stockner and Kirkton, along with back-to-back aces from Karla Hostetter, to make the score 20-16. But Averett would close out the set with five of the next six points to tie things at one. 
• EMU pulled ahead 7-3 to start fast in set three before AU cut the lead to two, 9-7 and 10-8. But a 4-1 Royals run gave EMU some breathing room and they eventually pulled ahead 19-11. With EMU ahead by eight, a Woolford kill and Stocker ace, along with a Cougar error, pushed the lead to 11 and a Cline kill put the Royals up 2-1. 
• Neither team would pull ahead by much through the first 22 and 24 points, as the score was knotted at 11 and 12. But a 7-1 Cougar run gave them a lead and they eventually pulled ahead 23-14. The Royals tried to come back, picking up four straight from errors and a pair of Sophia Denby kills, but a Royals error and a kill tied the match, sending it to a fifth and final set.
• Averett started out with an 8-6 lead in set five before EMU answered with a 4-0 run, highlighted by kills from Cline and Denby, along with a Megan Miller ace. The teams then tied at 10 and 12, before EMU led 14-13 with a match point. Twice the Royals would have match point and both times Averett responded. The Cougars, down 15-14, rallied with three straight points to pick up the win. 
• Special Note: In reaching 21 assists on the day, Miller notched her 1500th career assists in a Royals uniform. That puts her sixth all-time in the EMU record book. 

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Denby (17), Kirkton (15)
Assists: Miller (21), Hostetter (16)
Digs: Woolford (17), Kirkton (16), McVey (15)
Blocks: Bly (4)

What's Next
EMU will hit the road on Tuesday, heading to Roanoke for a matchup against Hollins University. First serve against the Green and Gold 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.