EMU's volleyball women came up short in their upset bid of undefeated Roanoke College Wednesday, falling 3-0 in Harrisonburg.  The two teams finished close statistically, but the Maroons (15-0) seemed to find the edge at the key times to earn the decision.

The Royals slide below .500 with the loss to 7-8, including 1-4 in the ODAC.  They next host North Carolina Wesleyan in a non-conference match this Friday at 7:00pm.

Much of the first set with Roanoke was tight, with ties at 15-15 and 16-16.  The visitors held a slight edge at 20-18, but then scored five straight to win 25-18.

Eastern Mennonite jumped ahead in the second, using a 4-0 run to lead 9-4.  The Maroons eventually tied the score at 14-14, and back-and-forth play continued all the way to 22-22.  Roanoke again had the late push, however, to win 25-23.

The Maroons had the momentum to start the third, putting up the first eight points.  EMU got within three points a handful of times before succumbing, 25-19.

Becca Hardy (Port Republic, Va./Eastern Mennonite) and Kait Miller (Sellersville, Pa./Christopher Dock) each had 10 kills to lead the offense and setter Jasmine Johnson (Staunton, Va./Robert E. Lee) had 32 assists.  Johnson was also busy in the back row, as RC tried to hit the ball away from libero Katie Miller (San Antonio, Tex./Brandeis).  Johnson racked up a career high 18 digs.  Alena Yoder (Elkhart, Ind./Bethany Christian) led all players with 19 digs, while Katie Miller was limited to 11.

Roanoke landed nine service aces compared to only one for EMU.  Sydney Daniel led the Maroons with 12 kills.

Coach Carrie Bert talks about the tough loss to Roanoke: