Eastern Mennonite University setter Jasmine Johnson (Staunton, Va./Robert E. Lee) moved into second place on EMU's career assists list on Saturday, bolstered by a season-high 46-assist effort against North Carolina Wesleyan. The junior's move up the program ladder came as part of a tri-match in Ferrum, Va.

Johnson now has 1,722 helpers in three years, surpassing Michelle Bailey's 1,672. She started the year in sixth place. Hall of Honor member Danielle Cosner (1995-98) holds the EMU record at 3,567 assists.

The milestone was overshadowed by a pair of losses, though, as the Royals fell to both N.C. Wesleyan and Ferrum. Still stuck on nine wins since last Saturday's big ODAC win over Guilford, the Royals (9-12 / 2-4 ODAC) will try to break a four-match skid on Tuesday when they host rival Bridgewater College (16-4 / 5-1 ODAC). Game time is 7:00pm in Yoder Arena.

N.C. Wesleyan 3, EMU 2
After surprisingly falling in a 6-0 hole in the opener, the Royals erupted. Trailing 11-6, they went on a 10-1 run to flip in front, 16-12. The run continued to the finish, as the women needed just five servers to complete a 19-6 tear, winning 25-17.

The Battling Bishops quickly earned a six-point lead again to start the second but watched as EMU came back again. Cheyenne Herbrandt (Star Tannery, Va./East Hardy) snuck in a kill to get the women within 22-21, but N.C. Wesleyan scored three straight to even the count at one set apiece, 25-21.

Set three featured more wild runs. EMU scored five straight to go ahead 10-5, and dropped a 6-0 run to build a 20-14 edge. The Battling Bishops had their own 6-0 streak to get within 23-22 before Kait Miller (Sellersville, Pa./Christopher Dock) landed a kill to close a 25-23 win.

N.C. Wesleyan leapt to a 10-2 lead in the fourth and never slowed down, forcing a fifth set with a 25-10 decision.

EMU scored first in the final set and lead 5-3. Then miscues struck the women and they coughed up five straight points and the lead. N.C. Wesleyan kept the momentum to clinch the come-from-behind win, 15-9.

Jasmine Johnson led the way with 46 assists and 13 digs. Miller and Becca Hardy (Port Republic, Va./Eastern Mennonite) each landed 13 kills, with Janna Williams (Kenbridge, Va./Kenston Forest) contributing 12. EMU's three other hitters each finished with negative attack percentages.

Defensively, Skyler Johnson (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg) led all players with 21 digs. Herbrandt added 17. Hardy had three blocks.

Tori Stewart topped N.C. Wesleyan with 13 kills as well as five of her team's 12 blocks. Autumn Spence also had 13 kills.

Ferrum 3, EMU 0
The Royals could never get a key point against the host Panthers. Ferrum scored the first three of the match and then closed on an 8-1 run to win, 25-15.

Both teams had leads in the second set, including 22-21 for EMU. The opponents were tied at 23-23 before back-to-back kills gave the Panthers a 25-23 squeaker.

The home teams took control early in the third and then withstood an 8-1 streak from the Royals to close the day, 25-20.

Hardy had seven kills and three blocks to lead EMU. Williams added six kills. Jasmine Johnson had 12 assists while Erin Mays (Ridgeway, Va./Westover Christian Academy) put up 11.

Sam Jacob (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite) had three of the team's eight service aces. Skyler Johnson picked up 11 digs.

Johnson's Milestone
Coach Carrie Bert said Jasmine Johnson, a three-year starter, has been a leader since day one.

"Jazz is a serious and competitive player," Bert explained. "She arrived at EMU with a high volleyball IQ, always knowing the rotation and its complexities. This understanding of the game allows her to lead on the court and recognize her hitters. Jazz has worked well the last three seasons with many different hitters of varied skill levels. She has the respect of her team and provides a consistent but intense presence."

Even though the Royals have utilized a 6-2 offense in many matches this season, Johnson is on pace to make a run at her personal season high of 696 assists from last fall. She also leads EMU with 28 aces and is third with 134 digs.