HARRISONBURG, Va. - After a trip through Pennsylvania, the Royals returned home on Wednesday, taking on future ODAC foe, Virginia Wesleyan. 

It was a tight matchup, but just like earlier this season, it was the Royals earning the sweep, taking down VWU 3-0 (25-23, 27-25, 25-21). 

Records: EMU 13-11, 2-3 CVC | Virginia Wesleyan 7-15

Highlights

Set One
EMU picked up the first two points, with a kill from Walter Spurlock and a Marlins error. The teams traded points to VWU leading 10-9, before EMU went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by kills from David Ward and Nate McGhee, along with a block from Spurlock, Ward and AJ Bagby, for a 15-10 lead. Later in the set, with EMU leading 19-13, the Marlins went on a 4-0 run to pull within two. Once again, the teams went back-and-forth, and VWU was able to pull even at 23. But back-to-back Marlin errors gave EMU the set and a 1-0 lead. 

Set Two
Kills from Ward, Bagby and McGhee gave the Royals an early 3-1 lead in set two. Neither team was able to gain much momentum, as they traded points throughout the set to EMU leading late, 20-18 and 21-19. But VWU was able to, once again, tie things up and take a lead, 22-21, with a 3-0 run. After a series of errors, EMU was serving for the set at 24-23, but Virginia Wesleyan won the next two points to take a 25-24 lead and serve for the set themselves. The Royals rallied, however, and a kill from Ward, an error and a McGhee ace put the stamp on the second set and put EMU ahead 2-0. 

Set Three
The Royals pulled ahead 5-3 to start the third, and later, leading 7-4, went point for point with VWU all the way to 12-10. Two straight from the Royals, off a pair of Marlin errors, gave EMU some breathing room at 14-10, before they went on a 5-2 tilt, highlighted by kills from Ben Childers and McGhee, along with a block from Jose Melendez, Tyler Oaks and McGhee, for a 19-13 advantage. It looked like EMU would run away with it, leading 23-16, but Virginia Wesleyan kept fighting and eventually cut the score to 24-21. But a kill from McGhee put an end to any Marlins rally and sent Royals fans home happy with the sweep. 

Statistical Leaders
Ward: 13 kills, 5 blocks, 6 digs
McGhee: 10 kills, 1 ace, 3 blocks, 5 digs
Oaks: 33 assists, 2 blocks, 3 digs
Rey De La Cruz: 13 digs

What's Next
EMU will be back on the court on Friday, when they welcome in Kean University to Yoder Arena. The Royals will also celebrate their seniors: Bagby, Childers, McGhee, Oaks and Spurlock prior to the match. First serve is set for 7 pm.

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