It was a great sendoff for EMU's seniors, as the volleyball team battled back for a 3-1 win over Hollins on Saturday.  The Royals picked up their first ODAC win of the year in their final home match, while also celebrating Senior Recognition.

With some tough serving, visiting Hollins jumped on Eastern Mennonite in set one, winning 25-19.  The women turned things around in the second, scoring first and jumping to a 5-1 lead.  They never trailed in claiming a 25-15 win.

Hollins put up the first point in the swing set but EMU took over with a 9-1 run, going up 15-8.  The visitors got within 16-13 before the Royals tacked on a 5-0 run to re-take control en route to a 25-21 win.

The fourth set was all EMU as the women used an early 8-0 run to blow things open.  Senior Sara Ritchie (Harrisonburg, Va./Turner Ashby) closed out the day with a kill, clinching a 25-14 winner.

Eastern Mennonite hit .170 as a team, their fourth-highest total of the season.  Ritchie finished with a match high 13 kills to go along with 14 digs.  Janna Williams (Kenbridge, Va./Kenston Forest) also hit double figures with 11 kills.  Regan Cook (Staunton, Va./Robert E. Lee) had nine swats and Kayla Smeltzer (Richmond, Va./Maggie L. Walker) added eight.

Erin Mays (Ridgeway, Va./Westover Christian) put up 21 assists for the hitters, while Jasmine Johnson (Staunton, Va./Robert E. Lee) had 20 to go along with 17 digs.  Libero Katie Miller (San Antonio, Tex./Brandeis) led all players with 24 digs.

Skyler Johnson (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg) had four of the team's 12 service aces.

Now 8-18 overall and 1-9 in the ODAC, the Royals wrap up the year on the road.  They play their final conference match Wednesday night at Emory & Henry.

Seniors
The Royals recognized their four seniors beforehand: Sara Ritchie, Kayla Smeltzer, Mattie Lehman (New Paris, Ind./Bethany Christian) and Jillien Puster (Middlesex, Va./Middlesex).  Smeltzer is the only four-year player, while the other three each participated three years in an EMU uniform.

Coach Jeff Tyson talks about the win and the impact these seniors have had on the team: