HARRISONBURG, VA- In the first match of their southern swing the Highlanders took on Eastern Mennonite University, battling hard but falling in three tightly-contested sets.
 
With Ryan Ludvik once taking the lead from the outside the Highlanders attempted to get their attack in order in the first set. The Royals notched a big run in the middle of the first to take control and win 25-16. Cairn went down early in the second set as well but battled back, coming within 4 points after a Ludvik kill. Anton Deleon picked up a kill to keep the Highlanders alive, but EMU carded the final two points to take the second set as well.  The Highlanders went up early in the third, until another big EMU run brought the home squad back into it. Kills from Ludvik and Deleon brought the Highlanders within a point at 23-24, but the Highlanders final attack went wide and Cairn lost the match 3-0.
 
Ludvik led the Highlanders with 12 kills and 12 digs while Simpson dished out 18 assists to lead the offense. Cairn takes on Southern Virginia University Saturday afternoon at 12:00 PM.