OWINGS MILLS, Md. – EMU kicked off the 2026 season on Saturday, making the trip north to MD for a pair of matches against St. Mary's (MD) and Stevenson.
In the opener, the Royals put up a fight in the first and third sets, but dropped a 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-23) decision to the Seahawks. In the finale, EMU once again put up a fight, but fell again in three (25-17, 25-18, 25-16) to Stevenson.
EMU vs St. Mary's (MD)
Records: EMU 0-1, 0-0 ODAC | St. Mary's (MD) 1-1, 0-0 United East
Highlights
- A block from Hannah Hensley and a Jada Parker kill helped EMU to a 3-0 lead to start the match. Later in the set, with EMU leading 7-5, SMCM went on an 8-2 tilt to pull ahead 13-9. With EMU trailing 21-14, a service error, a Felicity Jones ace and an Emma Rogers kill pulled the Royals within four but the Seahawks finished the set off with a 4-0 run.
- SMCM pulled ahead 10-2 to start the second before a 5-1 EMU run, highlighted by a Rogers kill, pulled them within five. The teams traded points to 15-11 but the Seahawks ran away with another 10-2 run, taking the second set 25-13.
- With EMU leading 4-2 at the start of the third set, SMCM pulled ahead with a 4-0 run. The teams traded points to 8-7, but the Seahawks answered with a 7-0 run for a 15-7 lead. EMU pulled back within four with an Emerson Moats kill and a Lindsay Bly block but a 5-1 St. Mary's run pushed their lead back to eight. EMU snagged two big aces from Moats and were able to cut their deficit to three, 22-19. After two SMCM points got them to match point, EMU reeled off four straight, with two points from Reese Fitton and a Kassidy Meadows ace. But a Seahawks kill gave them the win.
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Fitton (5), Parker (4)
Assists:
Cristina Colon (11)
Digs: Moats (15),
Ella Ollet (10)
Aces: Moats (3)
EMU at Stevenson
Records: EMU 0-2, 0-0 ODAC | Stevenson 2-0, 0-0 MAC Commonwealth
Highlights
- After a Parker kill tied the start of the match at three, Stevenson went on a 7-1 run to take a 10-4 lead. The teams went three points for three points to 13-7, and then EMU rallied with a 7-2 tilt, picking up kills from Bly and Colon, to cut their deficit to one. Later in the set, after a Mustang error and an Ollet ace kept EMU within one, Stevenson won the next seven points to take the first set.
- This time it was EMU pulling in front, leading 6-2 early after a Logan Turchetta kill and a block from Bly and Hensley. Later in the set, after another Turchetta kill pushed the Royals lead to 12-10, Stevenson pulled ahead with a 7-2 run. The teams traded points to 18-16, before the Mustangs extended their lead with a 6-1 advantage, and then finished off the set with an EMU error.
- Set three was a slow start for EMU, falling behind 20-6, with Meadows and Rogers picking up kills. EMU would continue battling, going on a 10-3 run, using kills from Ekaterina Smagily, Ella Lambert, Bly and Hensley, to cut Stevenson's lead to seven. But back-to-back Mustang kills wrapped up the set and gave Stevenson a 3-0 win.
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Bly (4), Parker and Lambert (3)
Assists: Colon and Ollet (5)
Digs: Moats (10)
Aces: Colon (2)
What's Next
EMU will open up their 2026 home slate on Tuesday, when they welcome in Wilson College to Yoder Arena. First serve against the Phoenix is set for 6:30 pm.
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