The 2025 fall sports season is here! Throughout this week, we will be taking a sneak peek at the year ahead for all of our fall sports. Next, we'll preview the 2025 campaign for our women's volleyball team.

Head Coach: Casey Steinbrecher - Sixth Season (41-68 Record)
Preseason ODAC Poll: 9th (43 pts.)
ODAC Preview
 
2024 In Review
The Royals finished the 2024 season at 8-17, 2-10 in the ODAC. After dropping the first two matches of the season, EMU responded with a big 3-1 win over #22 Mary Washington in their home opener. They went 4-4 over their next eight games, before an injury to offensive leader, Laney Cline, ended her season. EMU relied on a strong defense to help pace them the rest of the season, holding opponents to just 10.73 kills/set, which was fourth in the ODAC. The offense also did a great job of hitting around the block, with opponents averaging just 1.36 blocks/set, good enough for third in the conference. From the service line, the Royals finished with 211 service aces, with five players picking up 20 or more and nine with double digit aces.    
 
2025 Schedule Highlights
Season Opener: Aug. 30 at Hood (11:00 am)
Home Opener: Sept. 5 vs McDaniel (7:00 pm)
ODAC Opener Sept. 19 vs Hollins (6:30 pm)
Poultry Road Rivalry: Sept. 30 at Bridgewater (7:00 pm)
Rowdy Royals: Oct. 7 vs Randolph Macon (7:00 pm)
Senior Day: Oct. 18 vs Averett (1:00 pm)
Green Bandana Match: Nov. 5 vs Shenandoah (6:30 pm)
Regular Season Finale: Nov. 8 vs Gallaudet (11:00 am)
Full Schedule
 
Key Losses: Laney Cline, Sophia Denby, Karla Hostetter, Madison Stockner, Mara Woolford
Key Returners: Kaitlyn Custis, Kassidy Meadows, Kenley Smith, Mckenzie Taylor 
Full Roster
 
Outlook
The Royals come into the 2025 season with a lot of young, promising talent as Steinbrecher brought in nine recruits to the 2025 class and will expect them to contribute right away. Custis comes into her senior season as one of the top setters in the ODAC, after a 2024 year that saw her rank seventh in the ODAC with 5.81 assists/set, and sixth with 552 assists. Meadows and Smith are EMU's top two returning offensive players, combining for 255 kills, and were third and fourth on the team, respectively.
Smith will be a force at the net, as she finished 2024 11th in the ODAC with 0.73 blocks/set and 62 total blocks. EMU boasts a roster of nine players who are 5'9" or taller, which will give them depth in the middle, and on the outside. Ashland University transfer Emerson Moats and returning sophomore Claire Reichenbach will both be in the mix to anchor the defense from the libero/defensive specialist position. 

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