Volleyball Falls in Three Games to Kutztown at Home

Oct. 17, 2006

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Needing a win to stay alive in its quest for the team's second appearance in the PSAC championship in the last three years, the Shippensburg volleyball team fell in straight-games to second-place Kutztown on Tuesday night 30-26, 30-27, 31-29 inside Heiges Field House.

Instead of remaining in the hunt for the third seed in the Eastern Division, the loss put the Lady Raiders (19-13, 2-5 PSAC East) three matches behind West Chester and officially eliminated them from contention.

Shippensburg can tie the Golden Rams by winning its remaining three conference matches and by West Chester loses its remaining three, but since the Golden Rams swept the Lady Raiders this season, they would win in a tiebreaker.

Against Kutztown, Shippensburg was led by senior Missy Pierce (Valparaiso, Ind./West Aurora (IL)) who totaled 12 kills and 20 digs, both team-highs, by they could not stop the Golden Bears' offensive attack led by PSAC Eastern Division Player of the Week Sarah Brandon.

After Kutztown (20-6, 7-1 PSAC East) jumped out to a 2-0 lead, Shippensburg was on the verge of taking game three, holding a 20-17 lead. However, the Golden Bears rallied to take a 26-20 lead and steal a two-point victory after the Lady Raiders had pulled to within one at 28-27.

Freshman Kali Antolik (Johnstown/Westmont Hilltop) also totaled a team-high 12 kills to go along with five blocks while freshman Cindel Young (McConnellsburg/Broadfoarding Christian Academy) added 10 kills.

Sophomore Kelsi Hoffman (York/West York) totaled 19 digs and freshman Missy Ramp (York/Central York) and sophomore Maureen DuVall (Poolesville, Md./Poolesville) finished with 21 and 20 assists, respectively.

Shippensburg will host a tri-match this weekend as part of Homecoming when the team hosts East Stroudsburg and District of Columbia beginning at 1:00 p.m.

- Lady Raider Volleyball -