Lady Raiders End Four-Match Losing Streak, Beat UPJ at Home

Oct. 13, 2005

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - The Shippensburg University volleyball team snapped a four-match losing streak in convincing fashion, defeating the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown at home on Thursday night, 3-0. Junior Missy Pierce (Valparaiso, Ind./West Aurora (IL)) led the way for the Lady Raiders with 12 kills and 17 digs.

The Lady Raiders (13-16) won with game scores of 30-27, 30-17, 30-16. Game one was tightly contested before Shippensburg pulled away for decisive victories in games two and three.

Freshman Ashleigh Helfrick (Greencastle, Pa./James Buchanan) led the team in kills for the second-straight match, totaling 13 while also posting 12 digs. Freshman Kelsi Hoffman (York, Pa./West York) joined Pierce with a team-high 17 digs and freshman Maureen DuVall (Poolesville, Md./Poolesville) totaled six kills, nine digs, 36 assists and four service aces.

After the score was tied at 22-22 in game one, the Lady Raiders pulled ahead by four, 26-22, thanks to three consecutive attack errors by the Lady Cats (9-12) and a kill by Pierce. However, in a reversal of fortune, Pittsburgh-Johnstown cut the lead to one, 28-27 on a kill and three errors by Shippensburg.

But, it was two-straight errors by the Lady Cats that gave the Lady Raiders a 30-27 victory.

To start game two, Shippensburg raced out to a 16-8 lead, totaling six kills along the way, including four from Pierce. The Lady Raiders extended that lead to as many as 11 points, 22-11, before scoring eight of the final 12 points to win by 13, 30-17.

Game three was highlighted by Shippensburg's ability to hold serve for the majority of the game. The team led 20-10, holding serve during 22 of those first 30 points as UPJ only managed to force two sideouts on the Lady Raiders' 22 serves.

With Shippensburg in front by 10, 26-15, the team would end the game on the serve of DuVall as she ripped three-straight service aces before a block solo by junior Katie Laux (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler Area) and a kill by Helfrick gave the Lady Raiders the 30-16 victory and the match.

Shippensburg returns to action at home in Heiges Field House next Tuesday, hosting Kutztown University at 7:00 p.m. The Lady Raiders defeated the Golden Bears in five games earlier this season on September 17.

- Lady Raider Volleyball -