The Royals volleyball women opened play at their annual EMU Invitational on Friday, splitting a pair of matches in Yoder Arena.  Play wraps up on Saturday, with Eastern Mennonite playing at 10:00am and 4:00pm.

Click here to see the official EMU Invitational website.

EMU 3, Salem 0
The Royals quickly jumped on Salem, a 2014 NCAA participant, grabbing a 9-1 lead in the first set.  The Spirits answered with a 6-0 run to get back in it, but EMU regrouped and ran away with a 25-12 decision.

Set two was back-and-forth, with SC scoring three straight to draw into a 20-20 tie.  The Royals then put in four straight points to gain momentum and take a 25-21 win.

Eastern Mennonite led most of the third set before Salem nearly grabbed control with an 8-2 run to go ahead 21-20.  But a kill and service ace from Skyler Johnson (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg) steadied the ship as the Royals closed out with a 25-23 win.

The women had 13 aces in the sweep.  Skyler Johnson had five aces to go with her eight digs and seven kills.  Dani Driver (Cheverly, Md./Elizabeth Seton) added four aces and 14 set assists.  Jasmine Johnson Staunton, Va./Robert E. Lee) finished with 20 assists and 10 digs.

Becca Hardy (Port Republic, Va./Eastern Mennonite) led all players with 11 kills, while Katie Miller (San Antonio, Tex./Brandeis) led the back row with 13 digs.

Mariah Sharon topped Salem with six kills and 14 digs, while Kylie Taffer had six kills, 12 digs and four blocks.

Methodist 3, EMU 1
After a break, the Royals stepped back onto the floor for a 7:00pm match against Methodist, and the flow of the contest was easily the most intense of the year complete with a big crowd in the stands.

The women responded well to the increased pressure, using a drawn-out run to lead 20-16.  But the Monarchs stole momentum with an 8-1 run, grabbing a 25-22 decision.

EMU had a 4-1 lead in the second before Methodist took over with a 10-1 run.  The Royals never regrouped and lost by a 25-17 score.

Eastern Mennonite then scored the first six points in the third set, and never trailed until MU used a 3-0 spurt to sneak ahead 24-23.  Two quick points from EMU flipped the home team in front at game point, but the Monarchs tied it at 25-25.  Two errors from the visitors extended the night, however, as the Royals won 27-25.

Methodist meant business by the fourth, scoring the first two points and never letting EMU score more than two in a row until late.  The Royals had a 3-0 run to get within 23-18 but it was too late in a 25-19 clincher.

Janna Williams (Kenbridge, Va./Kenston Forest) landed a career best 12 kills to go with a couple of blocks.  Hardy added nine kills to go with three blocks.  Alexa Weeks (Montross, Va./Washington & Lee) and Maria Yoder (Manheim, Pa./Hempfield) each had three stuffs as well.  The Royals had a solid presence at the net, totaling seven blocks after collecting just three total over their first two matches.

Jasmine Johnson had 22 set assists while Driver had 15.  Miller had 18 digs to lead four EMU women in double figures.

Cassidy Hayes topped Methodist with 14 kills.  Chyenne Pump wasn't far behind with 12 kills and 13 digs.  Libero Karly Klimas was busy with 26 digs.

Now 2-1 on the year, the competition gets a bit tougher on day two of the EMU Invitational.  The Royals take on traditional power Catholic at 10:00am before closing the day against Goucher at 4:00pm.