SALEM, Va. – The Royals hit the road on Tuesday night for an ODAC battle against Roanoke College, looking to get back into the win column.

EMU pushed the Maroons to the brink in a competitive four-set match, before ultimately falling 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 23-25, 29-27).

Records: EMU 7-11, 4-2 ODAC | Roanoke 12-7, 4-1 ODAC

Highlights

Set One – Roanoke 25, EMU 21

• The Royals came out strong, keeping pace with the Maroons in the early going. Midway through the set, with Roanoke leading 14-9, EMU was able to go on a 6-2 run to pull within one, 16-15.
• Roanoke responded with a 3-1 run, but EMU battled back to take a 20-19 lead following kills from Ezekiel Awkward and Andre Mills. But despite the push, the Maroons capitalized on a late 6-1 run to take the first set.

Set Two – Roanoke 25, EMU 19

• Roanoke opened the second set with an early 6-0 advantage, pulling ahead 12-5. EMU stayed within striking distance, fueled by defensive plays from Ricardo Fernandez Perez and Rey De La Cruz.
• EMU would use a 4-2 push late in the set, highlighted by a pair of kills from Mills and a kill from James Powell, to cut Roanoke's lead to four. But the Maroons would wrap up the set, winning three of the final four points for a 2-0 lead.

Set Three – EMU 25, Roanoke 23

• Facing a must-win scenario, the Royals showed resilience. Trailing 6-5, EMU went on a 4-1 run to take a 9-6 lead.
• After RC tied things at 11, the Royals used a Mills kill, an Odom ace and a Jose Melendez/Mills block to lead by three. 
• Late in the set, Roanoke would eventually tie things at 18, forcing an EMU timeout. Out of the break, EMU reeled off a 4-1 run, but Roanoke continued to fight, pulling within one at 22-21, 23-22 and 24-23. But a kill from Derek Diaz would propel EMU to the set win. 

Set Four – Roanoke 29, EMU 27

• The fourth set proved to be a thrilling back-and-forth battle, featuring multiple ties and lead changes. Trailing 12-9 midway through the period, EMU went on a 6-1 run, using kills from Mills and Odom, an Awkward ace and a block from Derek Diaz and Odom, to take a 15-13 lead. 
• Late in the set, Roanoke had a three point lead that vanished when EMU went on a 4-0 run, moving ahead 24-23 and getting to set point. However, Roanoke fended off three set points from EMU, 24-23, 25-24 and 27-26, before closing out the match with a 3-1 win.

Statistical Leaders
Mills: 18 kills, 6 digs, 4 blocks
Fernandez Perez: 35 assists, 12 digs
Odom: 8 kills, 5 blocks

What's Next
The Royals return home on Friday for an ODAC matchup against Averett. First serve against the Cougars is set for 6 pm. 

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