HARRISONBURG, Va. - Bridgewater College men's volleyball fell short to EMU on the road in four sets Wednesday night.
The Basics
Score: Eastern Mennonite Royals (EMU) 3, Bridgewater College Eagles (BC) 1
Records: BC (3-14 OVR, 1-4 ODAC), EMU (8-6 OVR, 4-0 ODAC)
How It Happened
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The Eagles fought and stayed close throughout the match, but the Royals executed efficiently on the attack. Back-and-forth sequences occurred in the opening set with both teams working to sustain a strong lead. The Royals attacked in consecutive runs to pull away from the Eagles halfway in the set at 16-12. BC scraped hard-fought points to stay within reach late in the set countering attack errors, but the Royals found the separation with the final three points to take the set 25-20.
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BC matched the speed and flow in the second set, continuing to fight for a commanding momentum swing. After tying the score up at six apiece with a kill by Jax Conley. The Royals pieced together a three-point run that positioned them confidently with a potential momentum push. Aiden Weaver responded with a laser service ace, but shortly after, EMU secured another three-point run to stay out in front at 17-11. The Royals paced the set the rest of the way off a closing six-point rally to take the set, 25-13.
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Despite an opposing threat in the third set with the help of an early five-point run, BC found its rhythm it was looking for. The Eagles gradually climbed back as Weaver pounded a kill and Connor Cayer knocked down an attack claim the lead at 13-12. From there, more back-and-forth lead changes and momentum surges took hold. Late in the set, BC found its opening as Jovan Lapera knocked down a kill clip the Royals 26-24 in the third set.
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Both teams continued to trade lead changes, and the Eagles fought to take hold of solid momentum. Seth Williams pounded back-to-back kills to power a two-point advantage halfway in the set at 10-8. The Royals quickly recovered and enforced a three-point run to push past the Eagles. From there, EMU separated with successful attacks late in the set. EMU took the final set, 25-20.
Match Notes
Up Next
The Eagles are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 28 on the road in a tri-match against Roanoke and Elizabethtown in Salem, Va. First serve in the first game is at 1 p.m.
