Roanoke, VA - The Hollins volleyball team welcomed Eastern Mennonite as the two teams looked to move up the ODAC standings and into contention for a spot in the end of season ODAC Tournament.

Hollins used a hot start to jump out to an early, five point lead.  Every time the Roayls tried to trim the advantage, Hollins used the hitting skills of Deja Hadden (Norfolk, VA) to hold their lead.  Hadden posted seven game one kills as Hollins enjoyed a comfortable, 16-9, advantage.  However, Eastern Mennonite started to gain some momentum and forced a Hollins timeout with the score 16-11.  Coming out of the break, the Royals continued their march and forced a second timeout once the secured their first lead of the night, 17-16.  Hollins would battle back and the teams would trade points.  With the game at 21-21, Eastern Mennonite used a 4-0 run to gain a 1-0 advantage.  The second set was all Eastern Mennonite.  The Royals used the 4-0 run to end game one, to forge a quick 8-2 advantage.  Hollins continued to struggle as the visiting Royals cruised to a 25-8 win.  Hollins won the initial point of the third set, but the Royals quickly retook the lead and pushed their cushion to 11-5.  Hollins slowly cut into the deficit and late in the set it was the home team that forced their guests to take a timeout at 19-19.  Just when it looked like Hollins would complete the comeback and force a fourth game, Eastern Mennonite used a 3-1 run to end Hollins hopes of a comeback and take the match, 3-0.

Hadden enjoyed the best night of her young career by recording 16 kills on 26 total attacks.  The first-year added two digs and three blocks while senior middle Jordan Persinger (New Castle, VA) added five kills on just eight attacks.  Emily Lowther (Woodbridge, VA) registered three kills and a pair of service aces with fellow senior Lela Moore (Woodleaf, NC) handing out a team high 26 assists and a service ace of her own.

Maria Yoder matched Hadden with 15 kills and three service aces to lead the Royals.  Skyler Johnson added six kills, three service aces, and four digs while Jasmine Johnson assisted on 31 of EMU's 46 kills.

Hollins will step out of conference with a trip to Winston-Salem to face Salem College on Thursday night.  The game with the Spirits will be the last for Hollins before enjoying a free weekend with Fall Break coming tot he Hollins campus.