NAZARETH FALLS TO EMU IN SEMIFINALS
Stevens-Eastern Menonite to meet for NECVA title
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Mar. 31, 2007) -- Third-seeded Eastern Mennonite scored a mild men's volleyball upset Saturday as the Royals defeated second-seeded Nazareth in the semifinals of the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association Championship Tournament. The Royals won in three games 30-14, 30-28, 30-27.

Eastern Mennonite (22-10), ranked ninth nationally in Division III, will play top-seeded Stevens (30-6) in Sunday's championship match at 1 p.m. at Nazareth's Kidera Gymnasium. The winner gains a berth in the four-team Moulten Division III Championship April 13-14 at Juniata, Pa. Nazareth, ranked eighth nationally, is 23-7.

Against Nazareth, EMU's Brandon Ratliff amassed 15 kills and four service aces and setter Benjamin Yoder had 33 assists. It was EMU's third victory over the Golden Flyers in five matches this season. Sophomore Joe Petzoldt led Nazareth with 11 kills and Frank Leahy had 24 assists.

Earlier in the day Saturday, Nazareth defeated Ramapo in three games 30-22, 30-15, 30-20. Tom Maving had 16 kills in 20 attempts and freshman setter Kevin Kirchhoff (pictured) had 32 assists.

Stevens reached the championship match by defeating fourth-seeded D'Youville in three close games 30-27, 31-29, 32-30.