BALTIMORE—The Swarthmore College volleyball team fell in five sets to the host Johns Hopkins Blue Jays in the Centennial Conference final on Sunday, Nov. 6.

The Garnet captured the first two sets, but ultimately fell by a 26-24, 30-28, 22-25, 17-25, 10-15 score.

Sophomore libero Sarah Girard led all players with 35 digs and recorded four of the team's eight aces. Sarah Wallace (22 kills, 11 digs), Mehra den Braven (20 kills, 16 digs) and Elise Cummings (21 assists, 13 digs) all compiled doubles-doubles as Alice Liu and Bridget Scott combined for nine block assists.

After winning the first point of the match, Swarthmore never trailed in the set, despite seven tie scores. Den Braven and Wallace each buried six kills and Girard had seven digs to keep the Garnet alive. The Blue Jays saved a set point at 24-23 before two consecutive kills gave Swarthmore a 1-0 advantage.

The second frame also went the distance with thrilling runs from both sides. After a timeout, Hopkins used a three-point run to move ahead 25-24 and threaten to equalize the match. The garnet countered by two straight points and the teams traded serve back and forth in front of a packed house until a kill by Olivia Leventhal and a Blue Jay's error moved Swarthmore a set closer.

Johns Hopkins controlled much of the third set and got on the board, despite a late charge by Swarthmore that held off four consecutive set points. The fourth frame also went the way of the hosts, setting up a decisive set for the conference title and a berth to the NCAA tournament.

After an early deficit, the Garnet came within two points at 5-7 and again at 6-8, but could not get closer to the Blue Jays.