VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Royals wrapped up Day 2 of the VWU Tournament on Saturday, squaring off with Virginia Wesleyan and Barton College.

The Royals swept the host Marlins 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-) before falling to Barton 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-22).  

EMU at Virginia Wesleyan

Records: EMU 5-2, 0-0 CVC | Virginia Wesleyan 1-5

Highlights

Set One
The Marlins took an early lead on EMU, pulling ahead 9-5 through the first 14 points. EMU answered, however, with a 9-4 run, highlighted by two kills each from Nate McGhee and Ben Childers along with a block from Childers and David Ward. After a Marlin kill tied things at 14, the Royals went on another run, this time 9-2, with two kills from McGhee and Ward, a Ward/Jose Melendez block and three aces from Ward and Rey De La Cruz. VWU was able to pick up a pair of points, but a final kill from McGhee gave EMU a 1-0 lead.

Set Two
The beginning of set two was all EMU as they jumped out to a 7-3 lead, thanks to points from Ward, Childers, McGhee and Walter Spurlock. The teams traded points to EMU leading 10-8, before the Royals went on an 8-4 run to pull ahead 18-12. After a Marlin kill, EMU put the set away, winning five of the next six points with kills from Childers, Ward and McGhee, along with a Ward and Childers block. A Marlin service error gave the Royals their final point and a 2-0 lead.

Set Three
Set three saw the two teams trading blows to EMU leading by just two, 9-7. Both teams then went on 4-0 tilts to 13-11, before EMU went on another run, this time 4-1, with a Spurlock kill and a Ward ace, to give themselves some breathing room. VWU was able to pull within four late, at 20-16, but a block from Ward, Childers and Spurlock and an AJ Bagby kill put the finishing touches on the set, and the match, win.

Statistical Leaders
Kills: McGhee (12), Ward (11)
Assists: Oaks (35)
Digs: Spurlock (10)
Blocks: Ward (5)

EMU vs Barton College

Records: EMU 5-3, 0-0 CVC | Barton College 3-1, 0-0 Conference Carolinas

Highlights

Set One
The Royals came out firing in set one, jumping out to a 5-1 lead with kills from Ward and Spurlock, along with a block from Childers and Spurlock. Barton came back and took a 7-6 lead before a Spurlock kill tied things at seven. The Bulldogs then went on a 14-3 run to take a big lead. McGhee and Spurlock were able to pick up kills but Barton finished out the set for a 1-0 lead.

Set Two
BC got out to a 7-5 lead before going on a 12-4 run for a 19-9 advantage. Like the first set, EMU was able to pick up a couple more points on a Barton error and three kills from Ward, but BC took a 2-0 lead heading to the third set.

Set Three
An 8-2 run highlighted the start for the Bulldogs and they were able to extend their lead to as many as nine, 16-7. But EMU wasn't ready to head home, going on a 13-6 run, with kills from Spurlock, Ward, Oaks and McGhee, as well as a McGhee ace, to cut the score to 22-20. Barton pushed their lead to 24-20 but EMU answered with two points from an error and a Spurlock kill. But the Bulldogs finished the set, and the match, with an EMU attack error.

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ward (11), Spurlock (8)
Assists: (Oaks (25)

What's Next
EMU will continue its road trip next weekend, heading to Ohio for a three-match stretch. They'll start off the weekend against Mount St. Joseph on Friday at 7 pm.

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