SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Royals wrapped up their time in Ohio on Saturday, splitting a pair of matches on the court. 

The fought hard in the opening match, but ultimately fell to Wittenberg 3-1 (25-23, 25-17, 31-33, 25-22) before rebounding to take the matinee over Penn State Behrend, 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-16). 

EMU vs Wittenberg

Records: EMU 6-4, 0-0 CVC | Wittenberg 2-5, 0-0 MCVL

Highlights

Set One
A Nate McGhee kill and three errors put EMU on top, 4-3, early in the match. The teams traded points, and EMU was able to take a slight two-point lead twice, at 13-11 and 14-12, before Wittenberg went on a 3-0 run to pull ahead 15-14. A kill from David Ward and an error tied things at 16 and 17, but the Tigers answered with four straight to lead 21-17. The Royals went on a 4-1 run, with kills from Ward and McGhee, along with a Ben Childers ace, to pull within one at 23-22, but Wittenberg finished out the set with a Royals error and a kill. 

Set Two
Wittenberg pulled ahead 7-2 to start the second set and was later able to extend their lead to as many as six, 14-8. EMU cut it to three with a Pierce Donnelly ace and back-to-back kills from Ward, but four straight from the Tigers pushed the lead back to seven. That was as close as EMU got as Wittenberg used a kill to take a 2-0 lead. 

Set Three
The third frame started with kills from Ward and McGhee along with a Tyler Oaks ace, for a 5-2 lead. Another run from EMU, this time 4-1 from a Ward kill and a Walter Spurlock block, pushed their lead to 9-6. The teams went back and forth and Wittenberg was able to take a 15-13 lead, before EMU rallied with two kills from Spurlock and a McGhee ace, for an 18-15 advantage. The teams traded points and EMU held a 22-20 lead, but the Tigers clawed back in to tie things up. The set went to extras and Wittenberg had match point at 27-26, but a kill and ace from Ward put EMU back on top. The Tigers once again pulled back in front and was serving for the set at 31-30, but the Royals weren't done, using kills from Ward and McGhee, along with a Tigers error, to force a fourth set. 

Set Four
Three errors and a block from Childers and Spurlock, put the Royals on top to start the fourth. The teams traded blows to 14-14, but Wittenberg used a 4-1 run to take an 18-15 lead EMU picked up a block from Ward, Spurlock and AJ Bagby, and Childers, to cut the deficit to one, and were able to keep it with one at 21-20 and 22-21, but Wittenberg finished off the match scoring three of the next four points for the win. 

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ward (21), McGhee (12)
Assists: Oaks (37)
Digs: Jamaury Starks (13)
Blocks: Spurlock (5), Childers (4)

EMU vs Penn State Behrend

Records: EMU 7-4, 0-0 CVC | Penn State Behrend 1-7, 0-0 AMCC

Highlights

Set One
PSU jumped on the Royals early, taking a five-point lead through the first 15 points. EMU responded with eight of the next 10 points, picking up kills from Andre Mills and Ward, along with an Oaks ace, for a 13-12 lead. With the set tied at 16, two errors and a McGhee kill, put the Royals ahead 19-16. PSU was able to get within one at 21-20, McGhee and Spurlock gave EMU a cushion and a service error finished off the set for EMU. 

Set Two
Things started evenly again, and PSU Behrend even took another 10-7 lead early on. They were also ahead 15-12 but EMU picked up six of the next eight points off kills from Ward Childers and Spurlock, to take a one-point lead. The Nittany Lions were able to take the lead back, 22-20, but EMU roared back, winning the next five with Ward's kill finishing up the set for a 2-0 lead. 

Set Three
This time it was the Royals pulling out to an early lead, going on a 5-0 run with kills from Jose Melendez and three errors, for a 7-2 lead. PSU was able to, later on, pull within two at 13-11, and 15-13, but EMU but an 8-1 Royals run put them comfortably in front. The Nittany Lions were able to pick up two more points, but Mills' kill put the finishing touches on the Royals 3-0 win. 

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Ward (11), McGhee (6)
Assists: Oaks (22)
Digs: Oaks (11)

What's Next
EMU will have some time off before hitting the court again, with their next match not happening until Wednesday, Feb. 14 on the road against Southern Virginia. First serve against the Knights is set for 7 pm. 

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