Reading, Pa. (Feb. 10, 2017) - Tenth-ranked Eastern Mennonite University (6-3, 2-0) beat Alvernia University (3-2, 0-1) in the first ever men's volleyball match at Alvernia.

The Royals broke a 9-all tie in the opening set with four straight points for a 13-9 lead and ran off two more significant runs in a 25-12 win, then took a 25-23 decision in set two, and closed out the match with a 25-22 win in the third set.

Ralph Lunati led the Crusaders with 11 kills, and Justin Gibbs had 31 assists and a team-high six digs.

Alvernia stayed right on the heels of Eastern Mennonite in the second set training 17-15 before three straight from the Royals gave the guests a 20-15 lead.  The Crusaders were able to earn a sideout on a kill from Welteroth that set a 21-17 score then Welteroth ran off back-to-back points to pull the hosts to within two points, 21-19.

Lunati scored a point on a service ace to close to within a point at 23-22 and the Crusaders remained a point behind after a Spencer Matthews kill made it 24-23, but the Royals set William Ragland for a kill straight down the middle to close out the second set, 25-23.

Alvernia fell behind early in the third set eventually trailing 14-7 before mounting a comeback.  The Crusaders chipped away at the deficit closing to 21-19 on another kill from Matthews.  Gibbs took the serve for Alvernia trailing 24-22 and EMU got a kill from Scott Brigham to finish off the match.

Alvernia hits the road on Saturday for a tri-match at York (N.Y.) against the Cardinals and Wells College.

#10 Eastern Mennonite 3, Alvernia 0