The EMU volleyball women hit some tough competition over the weekend at the Sea Gull Classic in Salisbury, Md., dropping all four of their matches to slide to 4-5 on the year.  With four contests this coming week, the women look to regain the momentum they had after starting the year 4-1, their best start since 1996.

Virginia Wesleyan 3, EMU 1
The Royals opened the invite with a non-conference contest against ODAC-rival Virginia Wesleyan.  The women continued their recent pattern of playing the Marlins well, splitting the first two sets.  VWC won the opener 25-21 before Eastern Mennonite out-lasted in set two, 28-26.  The Marlins had a convincing 25-14 win to go up 2-1, and then held off EMU for the clincher, 25-22.

Sara Ritchie (Harrisonburg, Va./Turner Ashby) led a balanced attack with 10 kills while Janna Williams (Kenbridge, Va./Kenston Forest) hit a team best .273 for nine kills.  Jasmine Johnson (Staunton, Va./Robert E. Lee) put up 23 set assists with 15 digs.

Libero Katie Miller (San Antonio, Tex./Brandeis) was impressive with 30 digs.  Regan Cook (Staunton, Va./Robert E. Lee) had two solo blocks and two block assists.

William Peace 3, EMU 0
The women took a quick lead on the Pacers, galloping ahead 6-1.  But William Peace settled down and then swing their way to a 6-0 run to jump ahead 16-13.  EMU hung around and fought off two set points before tying the score at 24-24 on a block from Alexa Weeks (Montross, Va./Washington & Lee) and Cook.  But the Pacers put down two quick points to take the set, 26-24.

The decision seemed to take the wind out of the Royals' sails, as their only lead the rest of the night was 1-0 in set three.  WPU closed out with 25-18 and 25-16 wins.

Eastern Mennonite was simply out-hit in the contest, .305 to .063.  Ritchie had six kills while Kayla Smeltzer (Richmond, Va./Maggie L. Walker) had five.  Miller had three service aces and six digs.

Scranton 3, EMU 0
The second day of the classic featured what turned out to be the two best teams, and the Royals found that out quickly with a 25-14 opening loss to Scranton.  The women improved each set in the contest, but fell by decisions of 25-20 and 26-24.

Ritchie led all players with 10 kills along with a solo block.  Cook had six kills and two blocks.  Jasmine Johnson had 12 assists.  Defensively, Miller had 19 digs while Skyler Johnson (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg) was good was 13 digs along with four service aces.

Salisbury 3, EMU 0
The host Sea Gulls didn't cut the women any slack, quickly jumping to a 13-5 lead en route to a 25-15 win.  EMU was within 14-12 in set two before a strong finish gave Salisbury another 25-15 win.  The Royals had a nice run to dig out of an early hole in set three, but the home team responded with a 9-1 streak which locked up a 25-17 decision.

Cook had seven kills in the match while Ritchie had five.  Miller and Skyler Johnson each had 10 digs.

All-Tournament Team
Outside hitter Sara Ritchie was named to the Sea Gull Classic All-Tournament Team following competition, her second straight weekend earning an all-tournament honor.  The senior averaged 2.38 kills and 2.31 digs per set at the classic, including a double double of 10 kills and 10 digs against Virginia Wesleyan on Friday.

Eastern Mennonite heads to Ferrum on Tuesday, with a 7:00pm match against the Panthers.  They return home the following day to take on Southern Virginia.