LYNCHBURG, Va. - After a win over WIlson College on Tuesday netted EMU their first win of the season, they were looking for two more on Saturday when they took on Geneva College and Mary Baldwin at the Hill City Classic, hosted by the University of Lynchburg.
In the opener, EMU got down two sets to none, but rallied to pick up the reverse sweep over Geneva (11-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-9, 16-14). In the night cap, the Royals steamed ahead, winning the first two sets, fell in the third but rallied from seven down to win the fourth, and win the match, 3-1 (25-18, 25-17, 23-25, 25-23).
EMU vs Geneva
Records: EMU 2-2, 0-0 ODAC | Geneva 6-3, 0-0 PAC
Highlights
- The Golden Tornadoes used a 12-4 run to start the opening set and were leading by nine before an Emma Greer/Hannah Hensley block and a Lindsay Bly kill cut EMU's deficit to seven. GC then won 10 of the next 13 points, holding EMU to just one kill and a block, to take a 1-0 lead.
- Geneva looked like it was on its way to another big win in set two, leading 10-3 through the first 13 points. EMU would fall behind by eight, before going on a 5-0 run, highlighted by kills from Emma Rogers, Kassidy Meadows, Hensley and Greer, along with a Rogers service ace. The teams would swap points before EMU answered with a 6-1 run to take a 17-16 lead. Neither team was giving in until, after a kill from Logan Turchetta tied things at 24, Geneva used back-to-back Royals errors to take the set.
- This time it was EMU getting out to an early lead, pulling ahead 7-2 in set three. Geneva would tie things at seven and eventually take a 14-10 lead midway through the frame. Both teams went on runs: EMU 5-1 and Geneva 6-1, to put the Golden Tornadoes up 21-16. But EMU was resilient, winning seven of the next eight points, including back-to-back aces from Ella Ollet, to take a 23-22 advantage. GC tied things at 23, but EMU put the finishing touches on the set with a pair of Geneva errors.
- With the Royals leading 7-4 in set four, EMU went on a 13-3 push to take a commanding 17-6 lead. The teams each secured three points over the next six, but EMU went on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a pair of Cristina Colon aces, to force a fifth and final frame.
- GC led 4-1 early before EMU answered with five straight points in the fifth, highlighted by two aces from Emerson Moats, to lead 6-4. The teams battled and Geneva eventually got to match points, 14-13, but the Royals had come too far to lose, reeling off three straight points to secure the reverse sweep.
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Hensley (7)
Assists: Colon (15)
Digs: Moats (18),
Rebekah Allen (13), Colon (10)
Blocks: Rogers and Hensley (4)
Aces: Team (14), Moats and Ollet (5)
EMU vs Mary Baldwin
Records: EMU 3-2, 0-0 ODAC | Mary Baldwin 0-7, 0-0 USA South
Highlights
- Kills from Turchetta, Hensley and Ella Lambert put EMU ahead 8-3 to start the match. Mary Baldwin would take a 15-13 lead at the media timeout, but out of the break, EMU went on a 9-0 run as Lambert picked up a pair of kills and Felicity Jones delivered a pair of aces. MBU won three of the next five points, but Rogers' kill put final touches on the set and a 1-0 Royals lead.
- A 9-3 EMU run forced an early MBU timeout in set two before the Fighting Squirrels reeled off three straight to pull within three. EMU would answer with a 13-4 advantage, as Turchetta picked up four kills and Rogers added two and an ace. MBU pulled within seven with a 5-0 run, but the Royals picked up the set with a 3-2 tilt and a kill from Hensley for a 2-0 lead.
- Neither team could gain much momentum in the third, as a 4-0 EMU run gave them a 9-7 lead. The teams would trade runs to 17-all before EMU gave themselves some breathing room with a 5-1 run. But they're not called the Fighting Squirrels for nothing, as they stormed back, winning six of the next seven points to take the set and keep EMU from a sweep.
- MBU pulled ahead 6-2 in the fourth before EMU tied things with two kills from Turchetta and a kill from Lambert. Two more kills from Turchetta helped tie things at six but MBU then went on a 13-6 run and force an EMU timeout, down 19-12. Whatever Coach Casey Steinbrecher said in the huddle worked as EMU pulled out in front with an 11-2 tilt, including three straight kills from Bly and an Allen ace. The teams traded errors, which hurt MBU as their final one of the night propelled EMU to the four-set win.
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Turchetta (11 - career high), Bly and Rogers (10)
Assists: Ollet (20 - career high), Colon (19 - career high)
Digs: Moats (25), Allen (11)
Aces: Ollet (6)
What's Next
EMU opens ODAC play on Wednesday, as they welcome in Bridgewater College for a big Rowdy Royals matchup. First serve against the Eagles is set for 6:00 pm.
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