ASHLAND, Va. - EMU and Randolph Macon squared off in their final regular season matchup on Wednesday, with the Royals looking to dig into the Yellow Jackets ODAC lead. 

It wasn't to be, however, as Macon picked up a 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-13) sweep of the Royals, to win the regular season series. 

Records: EMU 12-14, 7-3 ODAC | Randolph Macon 19-8, 11-0 ODAC

Highlights

Set One – Randolph Macon 25, EMU 17

• The Royals jumped out to an early 5-4 lead, picking up three kills and a service ace from Ezekiel Awkward. Randolph Macon came back and took a lead, but EMU was able to keep them in check, trailing by just two after kills from Sebastian Clemente, Daeman Odom and Jose Melendez.
• With EMU trailing 14-12, RMC opened up a bigger lead, going on a 6-2 run and forcing an EMU timeout.
• Out of the break, an Andre Mills ace and kill pulled the Royals within four, 20-16, but a 5-1 Yellow Jacket run wrapped up the set, giving RMC a 1-0 lead.

Set Two – Randolph Macon 25, EMU 21

• This time it was RMC pulling ahead early, taking a 6-3 lead through the first nine points. EMU pulled within one with back-to-back Macon errors, and continued to stay within one to 8-7 after a block from Melendez and Ricardo Fernandez Perez.
• Randolph Macon extended their lead with a 4-0 run, as EMU called timeout to regroup. Out of the break, EMU pulled back within three with a 3-1 run, highlighted by kills from James Powell and Mills. Macon then went on a 6-3 run, pulling ahead 18-12.
• The Royals started chipping away at the Yellow Jackets lead, going on a 9-4 tilt with two kills from Melendez, to cut RMC's lead to one, 22-21. But that would be as close as the Royals would get, as Randolph Macon won the final three points to take a 2-0 lead.

Set Three - Randolph Macon 25, EMU 13

• Macon jumped out to an 8-2 lead in set three before two RMC errors cut the Royals deficit to four. Randolph Macon would extend their lead to seven, 11-4 and 12-5, but EMU reeled off three of the next four points off two Macon errors and a Mills kill. 
• EMU would keep Randolph Macon it their sight, trailing by five to six over the next seven points, with a Yellow Jacket error making the score 18-13. That would be the final point for the Royals, however, as RMC finished the set on a 7-0 to secure the set, and the match, win. 

Statistical Leaders
Clemente: 6 kills, 3 digs
Fernandez Perez: 22 assists, 1 block
Melendez: 5 kills, 2 blocks

What's Next
EMU will return home for an ODAC matchup on Saturday against Virginia Wesleyan. Prior to the 2 pm first serve, EMU will celebrate its lone 2025 senior, Jamaury Starks. 

To keep up to date with everything surrounding EMU men's volleyball, follow EMU on Twitter and Instagram, like EMU Athletics on Facebook or visit our website.