Volleyball Goes 1-3 at Holiday Inn Classic This Weekend

Oct. 1, 2005

CLARION, Pa. - The Shippensburg University volleyball team traveled to Clarion University this weekend for the Holiday Inn Classic, but could only manage a 1-3 record over the two-day tournament, posting its lone win over Virginia Union University on Friday evening.

On Friday, the Lady Raiders (11-12) fell to the host Golden Eagles in a tightly contested four-game match. Clarion won the first two games 30-21 and 30-26, before the Lady Raiders took the third, 30-28. The Golden Eagles rallied to win the match with a 30-27 victory in the fourth game.

Two freshmen, Kelsi Hoffman (York, Pa./West York) and Maureen DuVall (Poolesville, Md./Poolesville) led the Lady Raiders. Hoffman recorded 38 digs and DuVall posted 44 assists and 14 digs. Senior Michelle Doughty (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) turned in a solid game as well with 16 kills, 25 digs, eight assists and two block solos.

The Lady Raiders rebounded in Friday's second match, winning 3-1 over Virginia Union. Shippensburg took the first game 30-25, but fell in the second 30-27. However, the Lady Raiders finished strong, taking the last two games 30-18, 30-18.

DuVall recorded seven kills, 19 digs and 42 assists while Doughty and sophomore Mandy Taylor (Hanover, Pa./Southewestern) each tallied 11 kills.

On Saturday, Shippensburg dropped consecutive matches to Lees-McRae College and Edinboro University.

Lees-McRae needed four games to take down the Lady Raiders, 30-23, 25-30, 30-16, 30-27. Junior Missy Pierce (Valparaiso, Ind./West Aurora (IL)) recorded 16 kills, 14 digs and a block solo in the contest. Freshman Kelly Dirks (Enola, Pa./Cumberland Valley) turned in nine kills and six digs while posting a .409 hitting percentage.

In the final match, Shippensburg and Edinboro battled through five games, but unlike the first meeting, the Fighting Scots prevailed Saturday, winning 27-30, 30-21, 30-28, 28-30, 15-8.

Sophomore Katie Laux (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler Area) delivered three kills on just four swings, in addition to five block solos and one block assist. Pierce led the team in kills and digs with 14 and 29, respectively.

The Lady Raiders return to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division play on Tuesday at Heiges Field House against East Stroudsburg University. Match time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

- Lady Raider Volleyball -