SALEM, Va. (EMU Athletics) – The Royals wrapped up their 2026 road slate on Wednesday, heading to Salem for a matchup against Roanoke.

The Maroons were able to secure the regular season sweep over the Royals, picking up the 3-0 (25-8, 27-25, 25-19) win.

Records: EMU 11-16, 6-9 | Roanoke 19-7, 12-2 ODAC

Highlights

Set One: Roanoke 25, EMU 8
• It was a 5-0 start for the Maroons, before an Ezekiel Awkward kill and a Roanoke attack error got EMU on the board.
• The Maroons went on another run, this time 5-2, with EMU picking up a block from Daeman Odom, James Powell and Awkward and a kill from Bennett Barco. The teams traded points to RC leading 14-7, before they finished out the set with a big run, 11-1, as Pierce Donnelly collected EMU’s lone point and Roanoke took a 1-0 lead.
Set Two: Roanoke 27, EMU 25
• This time it was the Royals pulling out to an early lead, 4-2, with a kill from Odom, an Awkward ace and a block from Odom and Jose Melendez. Roanoke would surge ahead and lead by as many as three later in the set, 16-13.
• EMU would go on a 4-0 run, highlighted by a Melendez/Ricky Fernandez block and an Awkward solo block, to take a 17-16 advantage. The Maroons would answer with a 5-2 run and retake the lead, before EMU won the next two points to tie things at 21.
• It was dead even for the next eight points and tied at 25 apiece, but Roanoke was able to pick up a kill and use an EMU attack error to wrap up the set and take a 2-0 match lead.
Set Three: Roanoke 25, EMU 19
• Once again, EMU pulled out to a comfortable lead to start the third set, leading 7-2 through the first nine points after kills from Melendez and Awkward and three blocks from Melendez and Odom.
• Later in the set, with the Royals ahead 11-7, Roanoke went on a 7-0 run to take their first lead of the set, 14-11. Kills from Odom and Awkward would sandwich a Roanoke point, as EMU pulled within two, 15-13. RC would go on a second run, 5-1, including four straight, extending their lead to 20-14 and forcing an EMU timeout.
• Out of the break , the Royals started chipping away at RC’s lead, going on a 4-3 run, picking up two kills from Donnelly and one apiece from Odom and Melendez. But unfortunately for EMU, the Maroons were able to win two of the final three points to secure the sweep.

Statistical Leaders
Kills: Odom (7)
Assists: Fernandez (15)
Digs: Rey De La Cruz (8)
Blocks: Melendez (7), Odom (6)

What’s Next
EMU will wrap up the 2026 regular season at home on Saturday, when they welcome in Virginia Wesleyan and Drew for a tri-match. First serve against VWU is set for 1:00 pm and the Royals will celebrate seniors Delan Wright and Diego Morales Torres before the 5:00 pm match against Drew.

— EMU Athletics —