HARRISONBURG, Va. – For the second weekend in a row, Yoder Arena was the site for a full Saturday of men's volleyball action, with EMU hosting Drew University and Messiah University for a trimatch. The day proved to be a mixed bag for the Royals, beating the Rangers in four sets early before falling to the ninth-ranked Falcons in four sets to finish the day.

EMU vs Drew

Records: EMU 9-11, 5-2 ODAC | Drew 2-18, 0-2 CVC

Highlights

Set One – EMU 25, Drew 17

• The visiting Rangers got off to a 3-1 start, but then EMU took over with a 5-0 run, highlighted by a service ace from Jose Melendez and kills by Derek Diaz and Daeman Odom, going up 6-3.
• With the set squared at 10, the Royals rattled off another rally, scoring four unanswered points with Ezekial Awkward on the serve. Drew only mustered one point to make it 14-11 before EMU went on a 6-0 run that included from Diaz and Andre Mills as well an additional service ace for Melendez.
• The two teams traded points for the rest of the set before EMU took advantage of a Drew service error to clinch set one.

Set Two – EMU 25, Drew 18

• The Royals started fast in set two with a kill by Mills, a Ricardo Fernandez Perez service ace, and back-to-back kills from Melendez to go up 5-2.
• EMU maintained the momentum with five unanswered points. Just like set one, Melendez was strong in the service game with another ace to put EMU up 10-2.
• At 14-5, Drew went on a 10-2 run to draw within a point at 16-15, but EMU buckled down to outscore Drew 9-3 over the rest of the set to take a two sets to none lead.

Set Three – Drew 25, EMU 19

• It was dead even to start set three, with Awkward, Mills, and Odom chipping in kills for the Royals as part of a 6-6 tie to begin the set.
• With the score 12-11 Drew, the Rangers put together the first sizable run of the set, scoring three straight points to go up 15-11.
• EMU got as close as two points at 16-14 thanks to a service ace by Odom, but Drew made plays down the stretch to force a fourth set.

Set Four – EMU 25, Drew 21

• EMU took the early advantage in set four, scoring the first three points with a Drew service error, a Melendez kill, and an Odom service ace.
• Drew tied the set at 10, but then Awkward spiked it home for the kill. The Royals kept the lead the rest of the way to win the set and the match.

 
Statistical Leaders
Melendez: 12 kills, 3 service aces
Mills/Odom: 11 kills each
Fernandez Perez: 39 assists

EMU vs Messiah

Records: EMU 9-12, 5-2 ODAC | Messiah 17-2, 2-0 MAC

Highlights

Set One – Messiah 25, EMU 15

• The visiting Falcons flew to an early 4-1 lead, with an Odom kill being the only Royal point in that early stretch.
• Messiah used a 4-0 run to pull away to a 14-6 lead in the first set. The Royals could not muster a run of longer than two points on the way to the opening set loss.

Set Two – EMU 29, Messiah 27

• The Royals fought back in set two, going back-and-forth with the nationally-ranked Falcons. Facing an early 5-4 deficit, the Royals took advantage of a Messiah service error and Sebastian Clemente service ace to take a 7-5 lead.
• Leading 8-7, EMU went on a 3-0 run again, using mistakes by Messiah to go up 11-7.
• The Royals built a 24-20 lead to get on the verge of a set win, but Messiah scored four unanswered points to extend the set beyond 25 points.
• With the scored knotted at 27, Melendez registered a kill to put the Royals up 28-27. Then, a Messiah attack error put EMU over the top to tie the match at a set apiece.

Set Three – Messiah 25, EMU 18

• The Falcons and Royals played each other even early in set three. The Royals put together the first significant lead as Melendez got back-to-back aces to make it a 7-5 for the home team.
• With EMU up 17-16, the set got away from the Royals after Messiah registered seven straight points to go up 23-17 on their way to the set win.

Set Four – Messiah 25, EMU 19

• The Falcons carried their momentum from late in set three into set four with an early 4-1 lead. After that, the Royals got no closer than two points the whole set when a kill by Mills made it 4-2. A Melendez service error clinched the set and the match for Messiah.

 
Statistical Leaders
Melendez: 7 kills, 1 service ace
Joel Chamberlain: 2 kills, 2 solo blocks, 1 block assist
Fernandez Perez: 19 assists


What's Next
EMU Men's Volleyball will take an extended hiatus for spring break before taking the court again on Wednesday, March 12 to host ODAC rival Roanoke College. It will be Rowdy Royals inside Yoder Arena, and the first serve scheduled for 7 p.m.

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