BUENA VISTA, Va. - The Royals opened conference play on Wednesday, taking on the #3 ranked Knights of Southern Virginia. 

There wasn't much love for EMU, as SVU picked up a 3-0 (25-12, 25-12, 25-20) home win. 

Records: EMU 7-5, 0-1 CVC | #3 Southern Virginia 10-0, 2-0 CVC

Highlights

Set One
The Royals took an early 3-2 lead, picking up a kill from Nate McGhee and a block from Ben Childers and David Ward. SVU responded with a 12-3 run, pulling ahead 14-6. EMU was able to add another kill from McGhee and a pair of kills from Walter Spurlock, but SVU closed out the set on a 5-1 tilt for a 1-0 lead. 

Set Two
The second set started out close once again, with EMU trailing just 4-3 after a pair of Knight errors and a block from Jose Melendez and Spurlock. After Southern Virginia pulled ahead 6-3, the Royals picked up for of the next six points, using kills from Ward, Melendez and Childers to trail just 8-7. But like the first set, Southern Virginia responded with another big run, this time 9-1, to pull ahead 17-8. After a Knights error, SVU scored another five straight for a 22-9 lead. A pair of errors and a Ward kill gave the Royals points, but an EMU service error put the Knights up 2-0. 

Set Three
Southern Virginia pulled ahead 4-0 to start the final frame, but EMU answered with a 3-1 advantage, highlighted by a kill from McGhee. The teams traded points, with EMU scoring points on four straight SVU service errors, to trail just 13-11. The Knights picked up three straight, but EMU mirrored them with three of their own, using a pair of kills from Ward, to cut the Knights lead to 16-14. With SVU leading by two, they added a 5-1 run for a 21-15 lead. The teams went back and forth, with a kill from Tyler Oaks and four Knight errors, helping the Royals chip away at the lead. But an EMU error wrapped up the match for the 3-0 SVU win. 

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ward (6), Spurlock (4)
Assists: Oaks (15)
Digs: Jamaury Starks (8)

What's Next
EMU will finally return home for a pair of matches on Saturday. They'll take on #16 Marymount at 11 am before finishing up the day with Geneva at 3 pm. 

To keep up to date with everything surrounding EMU men's volleyball, follow EMU on Twitter and Instagram, like EMU Athletics on Facebook or visit our website.