The Royals now have a three-match winning streak after a weekend sweep in New Jersey.
The EMU volleyball men played a pair on the road this weekend against new divisional opponents, and with Sunday’s 3-1 win at New Jersey City, Eastern Mennonite is now 5-4 on the season and 4-0 in NECVA play.
Sophomore Greg Knight had a career high 11 kills in the win over New Jersey City.
Despite years of existence for each program, Sunday’s match was just the third meeting ever for EMU and New Jersey City. Eastern Mennonite has now won all three. With changes within the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association, the Royals joined the Metro Division this year, making NJCU a division opponent.
The men jumepd ahead early in the first game, forcing the Gothic Knights to take a timeout after grabbing a 7-3 lead. EMU led by as many as eight in a 25-20 win.
New Jersey City used a surge in game two to hold a 12-11 edge. But the Royals scored the next five points and closed the game on a 14-4 streak to win 25-16.
The Gothic Knights finally got a win in game three, finishing on a 10-5 run to win 25-19. But EMU had a few runs in them to seal the match in game four, claiming their own 25-19 victory.
The Royals hit .244 as a team and also did well at the net defensively with 11.5 total team blocks.
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Outside hitter Chris Moise (Hollywood, Fl./South Broward) led all players with 13 kills. He also had a solo block and four block assists. Sophomore Greg Knight (Chesapeake, Va./Hickory) put down a career high 11 kills.
Nolan Prock (Virginia Beach, Va./Frank W. Cox) added 10 kills and 13 digs.
Middle hitter Frankie Coto (Miami, Fl./Southwest Miami) had seven kills and seven blocks. John Barry (Aaron Bridge, Oh./Worthington Kilbourne) put up 39 set assists.
With the win, Eastern Mennonite moves above .500 for the first time this season. The men are also a perfect 4-0 in Metro play, with two tough contests coming up this week. The Royals host Stevenson on Wednesday at Yoder Arena. Then on Saturday, EMU is at No. 6 Philadelphia Biblical.