Rams Secure First Conference Win

  

On Friday, September 19th, at the Butcher Center, Shepherd University Volleyball hosted their first conference match against UVa-Wise. The Rams took a strong lead early and won the match 3-1.

Rams took a four point lead early in the first set. They played with aggression and matched UVa-W's energy plus more. Our superior setting (which turned into strong attacks) was clear from the beginning. Taylor Allen contributed several key kills for the Rams. They continued to pull ahead until they led 24-19. A few errors on our side allowed UVa-W some gain; however, they made an error to give us set point 25-22.

Shepherd came out very strong in set two. Valerie Bour placed a nice tip to win the first play of the set, followed by a nice solo block from Kayla Motheral, giving the Rams the start of a good lead. Allen added a tricky roll shot, and Katie Beecher contributed a kill with a well-timed slide hit. Rams were playing well, turning opportunities into offense and using control and placement (rather than power) to their advantage. With Shepherd up 20-17, UVa-Wise took a time out and came back with new energy. After several long volleys and some hitting errors on our side, Shepherd was down 24-23 and took a time out. Coach Guerci told the team to control the ball on our side and capitalize on offensive opportunities. "We love serve receive... when we have a chance to run our offense we're always confident." Kayleigh Helgesen tallied another kill for the Rams right out of the time out, and an error by the opponent put the Rams up 25-24. After another time out and a couple long volleys, Helgesen killed it again to secure the win at 27-25. Rams up 2-0. Patience, placement, and fundamentals were key players in the win. Shepherd looked for holes in the defense and waited for opportunities to terminate.

From the start of the third set, Shepherd dug themselves a hole, starting as just 4-0, and finally 20-6. Shepherd called a time out, and the coaching staff told the girls they could decide to score 8 points, 15 points, or decide the set is not over yet. With a new mindset, the Rams took the court again. Motheral and Helgesen scored the first point out of the time out with a nice double block. Sam Scroggins took the Rams from 9 points to 12 on a serving streak, ending in UVa-Wise calling a time out. Motheral and Bour added another nice double block. The set ended with an error on Shepherd's side, 25-14. Score SU 2, UVa-Wise 1.

The ladies let this loss roll off their backs and took the first five points of the fourth set, with Scroggins serving again. Bour was strong on the front row, contributing multiple kills and blocks. Shepherd stayed several points ahead for the entire set. An ace from Kelsey Anderson put the Rams up 11-5. Rams continued to hold the lead. Allen contributed another kill from a well-placed roll shot, making the score 24-18. UVa-Wise made a service error to give the Rams match point, 25-19. The final score was 3-1.

Shepherd is putting a strong foot forward in the Mountain East Conference this season, winning a conference match right away. We will face Concord tomorrow at 1 PM, also at home in the Butcher Center.

Go Rams!
#RamBition