HARRISONBURG, Va. -- The Methodist volleyball team fell in a pair of matches on the second day of the EMU Invitational on Saturday afternoon at Yoder Arena. Methodist dropped a marathon 3-2 match to the host Royals before falling to Catholic, 3-0, to conclude play.
 
In MU's (2-2) opening loss, the Monarchs fell behind 2-0 after 26-24, and 32-30 losses in two closely-contested sets. MU answered with 25-21, and 25-20 wins in sets three and four to pull even at 2-2 before the Royals clinched the match with a 15-8 win in the decisive fifth set. The Monarchs fell to Catholic, 25-18, 25-19, 27-25.
 
Cassidy Hayes led the MU offense in the loss to the Royals, racking up 18 kills, while Megan Andrews and Ashley Beardsley each chipped in nine. Maggie Harris and Lili Henry split the setting duties, recording 22 and 19 assists, respectively.
 
Annabelle Ronelli led the way on defense with 23 digs, while Henry added 22. Andrews chipped in 17, and Jasmine Tapscott and Brittany Ter Meer each had four total blocks.
 
Erin Brubaker and Amy Goodman each had 11 kills to lead four Royals in double figures. Skyler Johnson had a match-high 28 digs and Maria Yoder had five total blocks.
 
Hayes once again paced the offense against Catholic, recording 13 kills and hitting .407. Chyenne Pump added 12 kills with a .417 hitting percentage. Harris totaled 34 assists to go with nine digs and three blocks. Ronelli had nine digs, and Ter Meer and Hayes each added three blocks as well.
 
Patricia Martinez led the Cardinals with 12 kills. Christina Ciola had 16 digs and Michelle Seals added 40 assists.
 
The Monarchs are back in action in their home opener against Guilford on Wednesday beginning at 7 pm.