WEST CHESTER, Pa.- Looking to rebound off a non-league setback at Chestnut Hill earlier this week, the West Chester women's volleyball team (13-3, 3-1 PSAC) returned to action on Friday night vs Shepherd inside Hollinger Field House. West Chester battled throughout the match but it was the visiting Rams who emerged victorious by a final of 3-1, handing the Golden Rams their first PSAC East loss of the season.
Shepherd opened the first set quickly, taking an early 12-5 lead over the Golden Rams, which led to a quick Golden Ram timeout. Following the timeout, Shepherd continued to extend its lead, eventually extending the advantage to 18-9 late in the set, prompting the second West Chester timeout of the opening set. Following the timeout, West Chester looked to work its way back into the set but Shepherd held on to its early lead for a 25-12 first set victory.
The second set remained close throughout the early going as West Chester remained tied with its guests midway through the set with the score at 12-12. Shepherd went on a 5-1 run from this point to take a 17-13 lead and prompt the first WCU timeout of the second set. Following the timeout, Shepherd went on a 4-0 run en route to a 25-16 second set victory and a 2-0 lead in the match.
In the third set, Shepherd opened with a 6-3 run before the Golden Rams roared back with a 9-4 run to take a 13-10 lead and prompt the first Shepherd timeout of the match. Following the timeout, West Chester continued to extend its lead, eventually taking a 21-14 lead late in the match before a 3-0 from Shepherd brought the Rams back within four and prompted a West Chester timeout. Shepherd attempted to claw its way back into the third set, making the score 24-21 late in the set but the Golden Rams were able to force a fourth-set with a 25-21 third-set victory behind an impressive three kills and a block from freshman
Abiah Lane (Ardmore, Pa./Lower Merion).
West Chester kept the fourth set tight throughout the early going but Shepherd eventually took a five-point lead (12-7) following a block at the net, prompting the first WCU timeout of the fourth set. West Chester battled back in the fourth set but Shepherd was able to hold on for a 25-18 fourth set victory and a 3-1 win in the match.
Hailey Lewis (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) and
Tori Wright (King of Prussia, Pa./Upper Merion) tied for the team lead in kills with 11 each while Lane finished with eight kills in just two sets worth of action.
Jamie Byrne (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) finished the night with 39 assists and one ace while
Jillian Borgerding (Highlands Ranch, Co./Highlands Ranch) led the way in digs with nine in the setback.
As a team, West Chester hit .209 on the match behind a .286 fourth-set hitting effort, which was a match-high for the homestanding Golden Rams.
For Shepherd, Mikaylah Hoy led Shepherd in kills with 13 as one of three Rams in double figures on the night.
Up Next:
West Chester returns to action tomorrow afternoon in Hollinger Field House vs Shippensburg beginning at 2 p.m.
