ROANOKE, Va. (EMU Athletics) – The Royals kicked off Homecoming weekend, unfortunately, on the road for the first of two-match road trip, taking on Hollins University.

They got the weekend started on the right foot, picking up a four-set win (25-19, 15-25, 27-25, 25-10) over the Green and Gold.

Records: EMU 5-9, 2-3 ODAC | Hollins 5-11, 2-5 ODAC

Highlights
• Kills from Logan Turchetta and Haley Atkins got things started for EMU, as the teams were tied at two early. EMU then went on a 9-1 run, using two kills from Emma Rogers and two Rebekah Allen aces, to lead by eight. HU would battle back and pull within four, but EMU once again opened up the set, going on an 8-1 tilt behind two kills apiece from Atkins and Lindsay Bly, for a 10-point advantage. Hollins would respond and go on a 10-4 run, forcing an EMU timeout ahead 24-19. Out of the break, a Green and Gold service error wrapped up the set, putting the Royals ahead 1-0.
• Two more kills from Turchetta highlighted the start of the second set for EMU, as things were tied at three early on. After that, the Green and Gold surged ahead with a 6-1 run and a 9-4 lead. Alyssa Carr and Bly pulled EMU even at nine, but Hollins once again extended their lead, this time with a 9-2 tilt. After a Hollins error pulled the Royals within six, HU finished things off, winning seven of the final 10 points, to tie the match at one apiece.
• Neither team was able to gain much momentum in the third set until, with EMU leading by just one, the Royals went on a 4-1 run, highlighted by kills from Ella Lambert and Bly. Later in the set, HU went on a 6-1 run to take a 17-15 lead before EMU surged back ahead with an 8-1 tilt behind a pair of kills from Atkins. Another kill from Atkins gave the Royals set point, 24-19, but HU wasn’t going down without a fight, tying things at 24 and forcing extra points. Bly took over in extras, adding two more kills to her total, and one more from Atkins, to take a 2-1 lead.
• EMU held a slim one-point lead, 6-5, through the first 11 points of the fourth. After that, it all went downhill for Hollins, as EMU proceeded to go on a 12-1 run behind four kills from Alyssa Carr and two each from Lambert and Bly. After Hollins cut their deficit to 10, 18-8, EMU pushed their lead back to 16 with a 6-0 run. The Green and Gold picked up two more points, but Turchetta wrapped up the match with a kill.

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Bly (13 – career high), Atkins (10)
Assists: Cristina Colon (19)
Digs: Emerson Moats (22), Allen (10)
Blocks: Atkins (4)

What’s Next
EMU won’t have much time to enjoy the win, as they’re right back on the court on Saturday for an ODAC matchup against Roanoke College. First serve against the Maroons is set for noon.

— EMU Athletics —