HARRISONBURG, Va. - EMU MVB celebrated its lone senior, Jamaury Starks, on Saturday, as they welcomed in Virginia Wesleyan to Harrisonburg. 

After the first set, it looked like EMU was well on its way to a home win. The Marlins, however, had other plans, as they stormed back and won the next three sets, winning the match 3-1 (19-25, 25-19, 25-20, 27-25). 

Records: EMU 12-15, 7-4 ODAC | Virginia Wesleyan 16-8, 7-3 ODAC

Highlights

Set One - EMU 25, VWU 19

• Kills by Jose Melendez, Sebastian Clemente and Andre Mills, along with a pair of Marlins errors, put EMU ahead 5-2 to start the match. VWU was able to keep EMU in sight, trailing just 10-7 later in the set, before EMU went on a 7-2 run, picking up kills from Mills and Daeman Odom, along with a block from Odom and Clemente and a solo block from Melendez, for a 17-9 lead. 
• Later in the set, with EMU leading by eight at 23-15, the Marlins pulled within four with a 4-0 run. But back-to-back errors by Virginia Wesleyan sealed the set win for EMU, putting them ahead 1-0. 

Set Two - VWU 25, EMU 19

• Virginia Wesleyan pulled out to a 9-4 lead to start set two and pushed their lead to six before the Royals picked up a pair of points on two Marlins errors. 
• Later in the set, with VWU leading 17-10, EMU went on a 5-1 run, highlighted by a kill and an ace from Clemente, a kill from Odom and a block from Melendez and James Powell, to pull within three. 
• EMU was able to keep within three to 22-19, but the Marlins closed out the set with the final three points to tie the match at one apiece. 

Set Three - VWU 25, EMU 20

• The teams traded points to 6-6 to start the third before EMU was able to pull ahead for a one-point lead, 11-10. After swapping point, and and Ezekiel Awkward kill tying things at 13, Virginia Wesleyan pulled ahead with a 6-0 run, including three blocks, for a 19-13 lead. 
• EMU was able to pull within four at 20-16, but the Marlins pushed their lead to 24-17 with a 4-1 run. 
• The Royals tried to fight back, as an Awkward kill and two Odom service aces pulled EMU within four, 24-20, but an error ended the rally, and gave Virginia Wesleyan a 2-1 lead. 

Set Four - VWU 27, EMU 25

• Two Marlins errors, a Melendez kill and blocks from Odom/Mills and Odom, gave EMU a 5-2 lead in the fourth frame. They would continue to lead and, later in the set, a 5-1 run gave them an 11-6 lead. 
• Virginia Wesleyan answered with their own run, 5-1, to pull within one and the teams swapped points to EMU leading 16-13 after back-to-back VWU errors. 
• The Marlins rallied, winning six of the next seven points to take their first lead of the set since leading 1-0. Trailing 20-18, EMU tied things at 20 with a kill from Mills and an error and the teams traded blows to 25-25, giving the fans free volleyball. Unfortunately for the Royals, a pair of kills from Virginia Wesleyan wrapped up the set, and the win. 

Statistical Leaders
Awkward: 13 kills, 1 block
Mills: 12 kills, 2 blocks
Odom: 9 kills, 5 blocks, 2 aces

What's Next
EMU will wrap up its home regular season, and ODAC, slate on Wednesday when they take on Randolph College inside Yoder Arena. First serve is set for 7 pm. 

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.