HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Royals wrapped up the weekend at home, welcoming in the University of Lynchburg Hornets, who were receiving votes in the latest AVCA DIII poll.
EMU grabbed the momentum early, winning the first set. But Lynchburg settled in and was able to win the next three, taking the match 3-1 (19-25, 25-16, 25-14 25-16).
Records: EMU 8-13, 3-6 ODAC | Lynchburg 19-4, 8-2 ODAC
Highlights
- EMU jumped out to a 5-1 lead to start the match, with a pair of kills from Lindsay Bly and one from Logan Turchetta, to pace the Royals early. Lynchburg would pull ahead by one, 8-7, before EMU went on an 11-6 run behind two kills from Haley Atkins and a Cristina Colon ace, for a 19-14 lead. Lynchburg would hold a slight 5-4 advantage over the next nine points, to pull within four, but a Hornet service error and an Emma Rogers ace gave EMU a 1-0 match lead.
- Set two saw the Hornets take an early lead, pulling ahead 7-2 through the first nine points. EMU won the next three off three straight Lynchburg errors, but the Hornets continued to hold a two-point advantage. That advantage grew with Lynchburg's 9-3 run, pushing their lead to 16-8, before EMU responded with a 5-1 tilt behind three kills from Bly. But the Hornets continued to show why they're one of the best teams in the ODAC, finishing off the set with an 8-3 run, holding EMU to just two kills from Ella Lambert and Kassidy Meadows.
- The teams traded 4-0 run to start the third before, later in the set, a 7-2 Lynchburg run gave them a 12-8 lead. Six points later, with Lynchburg leading 15-11, the Hornets surged ahead, winning six straight, before a Bly kill stopped their run. But once again, Lynchburg would finish out the set, holding EMU to just one more kill, while taking a 2-1 match lead.
- The Royals held a two-point lead, 6-4, through the first 10 points, thanks to two kills from Rogers and one from Turchetta. Lynchburg then pulled out in front with a 9-3 run before EMU scored three straight to cut their deficit to just one, 13-12. Lynchburg followed that up with a 6-0 run to give themselves some breathing room and force an EMU timeout. Out of the break, EMU would take advantage of three Hornet errors and a Rebekah Allen ace, but that would wrap up EMU's scoring as the Hornets won the final three points for the match win.
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Bly (11), Rogers (8)
Assists: Colon (19)
Digs:
Emerson Moats (33 - career high, fourth most in the ODAC this season)
Aces: Moats (3)
What's Next
EMU is back on the road on Wednesday, heading to Ashland for an ODAC matchup at Randolph Macon. First serve is set for 7:00 pm.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding EMU women's volleyball, follow EMU on Instagram, like EMU Athletics on Facebook or visit our website.
