11/23/19: Hopkins (35-0) caps perfect season with 1st title

NCAA D III Final
#6 Johns Hopkins 3, #1 Emory 0 JHU’s Bliss: 21 kills.

2019 All-Tournament Team
Simone Bliss, Johns Hopkins junior outside (MOP)
Natalie Aston, Johns Hopkins junior setter
Louisa Kishton, Johns Hopkins senior outside
Leah Saunders, Emory junior opposite
Tara Martin, Emory sophomore outside
Megan Behrendt, Carthage senior outside
Emily Ellis, Trinity (Texas) sophomore middle

JHU becomes the third undefeated D III champion and first since Central went 41-0 in 1999. D III has still not had a repeat champion since Central achieved the feat with three in a row from 1998-2000.

Just seven programs won D III titles in the first 27 years of the championship from 1981-2007. There have been eight first-time winners in the 12 years since.

-Ricky Nelson