ROYALS COME UP JUST SHORT IN FIVE-SET AAC TOURNAMENT FINAL

In a championship match that embodied the grit and resilience of their entire season, the Johnson University Lady Royals fell in a five-set thriller to Reinhardt, 3–2, in the AAC Tournament Final on Saturday afternoon.

Johnson burst out of the gate with confidence, taking the first two sets 26–24 and 25–17 behind efficient offensive swings and steady serve-receive. Abigail Brown powered the Royals early, finishing with a team-high 18 kills on 51 swings while Luci Morris added a strong 7 kills on .500 hitting.

Reinhardt, however, responded like a championship-tested team. The Eagles surged back in sets three and four, winning 25–18 and 25–19 to force a decisive fifth set. Despite Johnson's block picking up momentum—highlighted by Luci Morris (2 solo, 2 block assists) and Ariah Gourley (1 solo, 5 assists)—Reinhardt's offense found its rhythm late.

In the fifth, the Royals traded points early, but the Eagles edged ahead with key kills down the stretch, taking the final frame 15–12.

Setter Caelyn Marshall distributed 19 assists, while defensive anchor Marissa McMahon tallied 17 digs. Lily Richards and Marshall also added steady hands in serve-receive with 12 digs each.

Johnson finished the season at 31–7, matching the program's highest win total in over a decade and reaching the AAC title match for the first time in the modern era.

Despite the narrow loss, the Lady Royals' run showcased the depth, toughness, and upward trajectory of the program—and set the stage for an exciting future.