(HARRISONBURG, Va.) – The Wilson women's volleyball team battled Eastern Mennonite from start to finish, but the Phoenix ultimately fell to the Royals in three sets Tuesday evening. The Phoenix kept pace with the hosts for the first and third frames while the Royals were able to pull away in the end game of the second.

The Basics

Scores: Wilson 0, Eastern Mennonite 3 (25-23, 25-16, 25-22)

Venue: Yoder Arena

Records: Wilson 0-3, Eastern Mennonite 1-2

How It Happened

• After a quick 4-0 start by EMU, Wilson answered with the next four points highlighted by a Jayda Lichty (FY, Hanover, Pa. / Southwestern) ace. Wilson benefited from a mid-game push thanks to Royals miscues with a pair of Abby Moreland (Sr., Sabillasville, Md. / Catoctin) kills along with another Lichty ace to take an 18-11 lead. Eastern Mennonite unfortunately got back into contention with eight of the next nine points to tie the game. The Royals rode the momentum wave to edge out a two-point victory in the set.
• Wilson stuck with EMU as Moreland laid down a kill and an ace to make it 17-14 in favor of the hosts, but once again the Royals went on a late-game rally and scored the next five to take total advantage. Lichty and Hannah Pollard (FY, Wilmington, N.C. / Wilmington Christian) answered with back-to-back kills before the Royals finished off the frame with the next three points.
• The Phoenix looked to stay alive with a fast start in the third on the strength of two Pollard blocks en route to a 6-3 lead. Another Pollard rejection coupled with Ashlynn Babbitt (So., Edenton, N.C. / John A. Holmes) put Wilson within one before EMU created separation with another late frame push. A Riley Cramer (FY, Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg) kill put Wilson back within two, but it was too late as EMU scored two of the next three for the match.

Inside The Numbers

• Moreland led the team with six kills. She also paced the team on the defensive end with 10 digs.
• Up front Pollard proved to be a force as she racked up five blocks on the day. It's the most in a three-set match for the Phoenix since Tia Jones stonewalled six attempts exactly seven years and one day ago in a home win against Albright.
• Lichty served up three aces and picked up seven digs.
• Eastern Mennonite was led by Lindsay Bly with seven kills. Emerson Moats paced the Royals defensively with 15 digs.

Up Next
Wilson will be back at home to take on Lebanon Valley on Thursday at 7 p.m.