OWINGS MILLS, Md. - EMU was back on the court Saturday, with a tri-match in Maryland against Neumann and Stevenson University. 

In the opener, EMU jousted the Knights, and came out on top, 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-19) before falling in the day's finale to the hosts, 3-0 (25-19, 26-24, 25-14).

EMU vs Neumann

Records: EMU 3-5, 0-0 ODAC | Neumann 1-3, 0-0 United East

Set One: EMU 25, Neumann 21

• EMU scored the first five points of the match, with two kills from James Powell, a kill from Jose Melendez, a Ricky Fernandez service ace and a block from Powell and Melendez. Later in the set, with things tied at seven, the teams traded points to 11-10 EMU, before the Royals went on a 5-1 run, highlighted by two more kills from Powell, to pull ahead 16-11. 
• The teams once again traded points to 20-14, but the Knights were able to climb back in with a 6-3 run, to pull within three, 23-20. The Royals, however, were able to finish off the set with two of the last three points, including Powell's seventh kill of the set, to take a 1-0 lead. 

Set Two: EMU 25, Neumann 14

• This time it was Neumann pulling ahead to start the set, leading 6-4 through the first 10 points. EMU then responded, winning six of the next seven, getting two kills from Pierce Donnelly and one from Daeman Odom, a Derek Diaz ace and an Ezekiel Awkward block, to lead 10-7. 
• A few points later, with the Royals leading by two, they broke the set open with an 11-2 run, to take a 10-point lead. The Knights picked up a pair of kills, but EMU wrapped up the set with the final two points coming off a kill from Bennett Barco and a Neumann error. 

Set Three: EMU 25, Neumann 19

• Powell got things started for EMU, picking up two more kills and an ace, as EMU led 5-2 early on. Later, with the Royals ahead 8-6, EMU went on a 5-1 tilt with kills from Donnelly, Diaz and Powell, along with an Awkward block, for a 13-7 advantage. 
• The Knights pulled within four, 15-11, before EMU won three straight points to extend their lead back to seven. Still trailing by seven, 20-13, Neumann went on a 5-2 run to chip away at EMU's lead and pull within four, 22-18. But the Royals weren't about to let a comeback happen, winning three of the final four points, including kills from Jonas Stafford and Diego Morales Torres, to secure the sweep. 

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Powell (10), Donnelly (7)
Assists: Stafford (16), Fernandez (14)
Digs: Awkward, Rey De La Cruz, Sebastian Clemente (5)
Blocks: Awkward (2)

EMU vs Stevenson

Records: EMU 3-6, 0-0 ODAC | Stevenson 5-3, 0-0 MAC

Highlights

Set One: Stevenson 25, EMU 19

• The Royals took a 7-4 lead in the opening frame, using kills from Powell, Diaz and Odom, along with block from Powell, Diaz and Odom. Stevenson was able to tie things at seven but EMU would take a one-point lead, 12-11, midway through the set. 
• EMU pulled ahead by three after a pair of Mustang errors and a block from Powell and Diaz. Later in the set, with EMU leading 18-14, SU went on a 5-0 run to take a lead. A Stevenson service error tied the set at 19, but another run by SU, this time 6-0, gave them an early 1-0 match lead. 

Set Two: Stevenson 26, EMU 24

• Neither team was able to pull ahead by more than two points through the bulk of the second set. A kill from Melendez and a Mustang error tied things at three, and the teams swapped points to 11-10, Stevenson. 
• EMU used two Stevenson errors and two Melendez kills, to take a 14-12 lead and were able to hold a slim lead until, a 4-0 run later on, put the Royals ahead 21-16. 
• Stevenson answered with a 4-1 tilt, but EMU looked like it was about the to take the set after back-to-back errors put them ahead 24-20. But the Mustangs rallied on their home court, once again winning the final six points of the set to steal the momentum and take a 2-0 lead. 

Set Three: Stevenson 25, EMU 14

• After the way set two ended, SU pounced on the momentum, jumping out to a 9-2 lead to start the final frame. EMU picked up a kill from Odom, but Stevenson eventually led 14-3. 
• The Royals showed life, winning the next four points, highlighted by a kill from Donnelly and a block from Donnelly and Powell. But Stevenson was able to force a back-and-forth set, matching EMU point-for-point to 16-9. SU then finished things out with a 9-5 run, as EMU was able to get points from Johnathan Badowski and Odom. 

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Diaz (6)
Assists: Stafford (9)
Digs: Clemente (6)
Blocks: Odom (4)

What's Next
EMU will have the next 10 days off, before opening ODAC play on Feb. 17 at home against Lynchburg. First serve against the Hornets is set for 7:00 pm. 

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