LYNCHBURG, Va. - The Royals capped off their 2025 road slate on Saturday, making one final trip down to Lynchburg to take on Randolph College. 

EMU picked up a big win, downing the WildCats in straight sets (25-19, 25-21, 25-23) for an ODAC win. 

Records: EMU 6-18, 2-8 ODAC | Randolph 11-15, 3-7 ODAC

Highlights

Set One: EMU 25, Randolph 19

• Kills from Kenley Smith, Lindsay Bly and Jada Parker, put EMU ahead 3-1 to start the match. Randolph answered with a 6-1 run to pull out in front by three. 
• EMU continued to trail, down 15-10 through 25 points. The Royals then went on a 4-0 run of their own, highlighted by a pair of Claire Reichenbach service aces, to pull within one. The teams would swap points to 19-17 WildCats, before EMU pounced, ending the set on an 8-0 tear, including two kills each by Smith and Parker, along with a block from Smith and Emma Greer and a Smith/Bly block, for a 1-0 lead. 

Set Two: EMU 25, Randolph 21

• Felicity Jones picked up two aces and Parker and Bly added kills, as the Royals took a 4-0 lead to start the second set. Later in the set, with EMU leading 5-1, Randolph would go on a 4-0 run, tying things at five apiece. 
• Neither team would be able to grab much momentum until, with things tied at 12, EMU won four straight, with two kills from Greer along with a kill and a block from Bly, for a 16-12 advantage. 
• Late in the set, Randolph would cut into the Royals lead, pulling within two at 22-20. But EMU wasn't about to give in, as kills from Greer and Smith, along with an ace from Kaitlyn Custis, put the finishing touches on the set and gave EMU a 2-0 match lead. 

Set Three: EMU 25, Randolph 23

• Once again it was the Royals taking an early lead, thanks to two kills from Bly and an Emma Rogers/Parker block. Randolph responded with a 6-1 run, taking a 7-6 lead. 
• EMU fought back and re-took the lead, with three straight points and would push their lead to as many as four, leading 19-15 after a Parker kill and a Reichenbach ace. 
• The WildCats clawed their way back to a 19-19 tie and kept it tied at 20 and 21. EMU got to match point with three straight kills: two from Smith and one from Parker, but back-to-back Randolph kills forced an EMU timeout leading 24-23. Out of the break, Parker was ready to hit the road, as she slammed home a kill to help propel the Royals to the Saturday sweep. 

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Smith (11), Parker (10 - career high)
Assists: Mckenzie Taylor (18), Custis (14)
Digs: Jones (19), Emerson Moats (17), Reichenbach (12)
Aces: Jones (4)
Blocks: Smith, Bly (3)

What's Next
EMU will be back at home on Wednesday, for their 2025 ODAC finale. They'll welcome in Shenandoah University for a 6:30 showdown. 

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