While Saturday's Senior Recognition Day started well, it ended on a sour note as the Royals lost 3-1 to Shenandoah.  The loss eliminates the Eastern Mennonite volleyball women from playoff contention as they slide to 9-15 overall and 2-8 in the ODAC.

After pre-game ceremonies honoring seniors Jessica Goertzen (Goessel, Kan./Goessel) and Rachel Kennel (Parkesburg, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite), the Royals sprinted to a 7-1 lead in game one.  The Hornets ended up tying the score at 9-9, but EMU took back control and won, 25-19.

The teams had a back-and-forth start to game two until the Royals used an 11-3 run to grab a 23-20 lead.  Shenandoah regrouped, twice fought off a game-point serve from EMU, and then scored three in a row to steal a 27-25 decision.

The Hornets grabbed momentum with the win and continued to a 25-18 score in game three.

Despite an injury to leading hitter D Probst (Willow Street, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) early in game four, the Royals worked ahead 13-9 and still led 19-15.  SU then scored five in a row to jump in front and held off the women to close the day, 25-23.

EMU's seniors led the way in their final home match.  Goertzen had a career high 51 assists to go with 12 digs, three service aces and a couple of blocks.  Kennel led all players with her 16 kills and added two aces.

Probst was just behind Kennel with her 15 kills, despite missing much of the fourth game.  Kayley Argenbright (Fishersville, Va./Wilson Memorial) added 11 kills and two aces.  Katie Miller (San Antonio, Tex./Brandeis) picked up 24 digs.

Haley Smith (Winchester, Va./James Wood) led Shenandoah with 14 kills while Rachel Gross (Warrenton, Va./Fauquier) had 12.  Setter Jasmine Callahan (Forest, Va./Jefferson Forest) had 34 assists and 17 digs.

The loss, combined with Bridgewater's 3-0 upset of first-place Washington and Lee, dropped the Royals two full games behind the Eagles in the race for the eighth and final ODAC Tournament bid.  The two teams meet next Saturday in Bridgewater for their ODAC finale with an 11:00am start time.  EMU will also play Catholic in a neutral-court match at 1:00pm.