HARRISONBURG, Va. - EMU was back at home on Saturday, for day two of the EMU Royals Tournament. 

They took on Messiah to start the day. After taking set one, the Falcons reeled off three straight for a 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-23) win. In the final match of the weekend, EMU took #3 SVU to the limit, but it was the Knights earning a 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-20) win. 

EMU vs Messiah

Records: EMU 9-7, 0-2 CVC | Messiah 10-6, 1-0 Middle Atlantic

Highlights

Set One
Messiah led throughout much of the first set, before a Royals 3-0 run, with kills from Walter Spurlock and a Spurlock ace, tied things at 13. The Falcons once again took the lead and pulled ahead 20-18, before EMU tied things again, this time with an MU error and a block from Spurlock, Ben Childers and Andre Mills. The Royals won the set, winning four of the last five points, including kills from David Ward and Nate McGhee. 

Set Two
Messiah jumped out to a 10-4 lead in set two, before EMU responded with a 4-0 run from Childers, Ward and Spurlock. Another Spurlock kill and a block from Childers and McGee tied things at 11 and the teams traded point to 16-16. Messiah then went on a 6-1 run and closed out the set with a 3-0 run, to tie the match at one. 

Set Three
This time it was EMU taking a lead to start the set, as pulled ahead 8-7. The Falcons answered with five of the next six, for a 12-9 advantage. Messiah would extend their lead and lead by as many as five to six, until a Tyler Oaks kill pulled the Royals within four, 21-17. But once again, the Falcons would close out the set with four of the final six points, taking a 2-1 lead. 

Set Four
The teams traded points to 7-7, before MU went on a 5-1 run for a 12-8 lead. After a back-and-forth, EMU cut their deficit to two with kills from McGhee and Mills and even took a one-point lead after a 5-0 run. The teams traded points to 22-21 EMU, but the Falcons scored the next three. McGhee picked up another kill, but a Messiah kill gave them the win. 

Statistical Leaders
McGhee: 12 kills, 2 aces, 3 digs
Oaks: 38 assists, 2 kills, 2 blocks, 4 digs
Spurlock: 9 kills, 4 digs

EMU vs #3 SVU

Records: EMU 9-8, 0-2 CVC | SVU 14-0, 3-0 CVC

Highlights

Set One
The Royals came out swinging, taking a 7-4 lead after a 3-0 run, with kills from Ward, Spurlock and Childers. The match stayed tied or with EMU ahead by one, to 12-11, until SVU went on a 7-2 tilt for a 18-14 lead. EMU cut their deficit to three, but the Knights answered with three straight. Kills from Ward weren't enough as SVU won three of the final five points for a 1-0 lead. 

Set Two
For just the second time this season, SVU gave up 23 points in the set. Two kills from Childers and an error put EMU ahead by two. A Knight run put them ahead 12-10, but EMU tied things with two straight on an error and a Ward kill. SVU was able to pull ahead 24-19, but EMU kept fighting, winning four straight points with kills from Mills and Spurlock, along with a block from Spurlock, Mills and Childers. But the Knights put the set away a kill for a 2-0 lead. 

Set Three
Neither team could get much momentum going in the final set, as there were multiple ties and lead changes, to a 13-13 tie. The Knights gained some breathing room with a 9-2 run, leading 22-15, but EMU won five of the next seven points, using kills from McGhee and Ward, to pull to 24-20. But a service error ended the thrilling match, with SVU coming out on top. 

Statistical Leaders
Ward: 9 kills, 2 blocks, 2 digs
Oaks: 23 assists, 1 ace, 6 digs
Rey De La Cruz: 11 digs, 1 assist

What's Next
EMU will look to pick up its first conference win on Wednesday, when they head to Salem for a matchup with Roanoke. First serve is set for 7 pm. 

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