HARRISONBURG, Va. - EMU was looking for a win on Saturday, to keep their playoff hopes alive for the 2026 season.
Unfortunately for the Royals, Randolph College came in and was able to pick up the 3-1 (25-16, 25-12, 22-25, 28-26) win over EMU, giving the WildCats the tiebreaker for the upcoming ODAC Tournament.
Records: EMU 9-14, 4-7 ODAC | Randolph 14-13, 4-7 ODAC
Highlights
- Two kills from Emma Greer highlighted EMU's start, as they lead 5-4 through nine points. The teams traded points to 8-8 before Randolph surged ahead with a 13-5 run, forcing an EMU timeout. After the break, EMU picked up three more points, including two kills from Kassidy Meadows, but a service error and a service ace put the WildCats ahead 1-0.
- Randolph carried their set one momentum to set two, leading 8-1 early in the frame. The WildCats would continue to lead, pushing it to as many as 11, 15-4, at the media timeout. EMU then went on a 7-4 tilt, picking up kills from Logan Turchetta, Haley Atkins and Lindsay Bly, to pull back within eight. But the WildCats would win six of the next seven points to take a 2-0 match lead.
- This time it was the Royals pulling ahead early, doubling up Randolph 10-5 through the first 15 points of the set. Randolph pulled within one with a 5-1 run, but EMU continued to answer and held a one-point lead at the media timeout. Later in the set, after RC had taken an 18-17 advantage, EMU roared back with a 7-1 run behind two kills from Greer and a Cristina Colon ace. The WildCats kept it close, down the stretch, pulling with two at 24-22, but the Royals finished out the set with a kill from Atkins.
- Randolph led 8-3 to start the fourth, but EMU pulled back in with a 6-2 run, as Greer continued her strong match with two more kills. Randolph responded with a 7-1 run and it looked like they would run away with the set. But a few points later, with Randolph leading 19-13, Ekaterina Smagily went on a serving run, helping the Royals to nine of the next 10 points and a 22-20 lead. But the WildCats fought back with four straight to get to match points, before EMU won the next three behind Green and Rogers. But the Royals couldn't close the door on Randolph, and the WildCats, trailing 26-25, were able to win three straight for the match win.
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Greer (15 - career high)
Assists: Smagily (20)
Digs: Moats (23), Smagily (13)
Blocks: Rogers (5)
What's Next
EMU wraps up their ODAC slate on Tuesday when they head down to Virginia Beach to take on Batten. First serve is set for 6:00 pm.
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