The women’s volleyball team dropped four straight games this past weekend at the Heiges Field House against Seton Hill, California (PA), Clarion, and Indiana (PA).
The matches started on Friday morning when the Lady Raiders (6-6) hosted the undefeated Seton Hill Griffins (12-0) for the Raiders first home game of the season. The young Shippensburg team fought hard, but fell 3 sets to 1 (22-25, 20-25, 25-22, 20-25). Junior Taylor Gottshall led the team with 12 kills. Meanwhile, Junior Laura Plank led the Raiders with 30 digs.
Later that same day, Shippensburg ended the first day of the PSAC crossover with the lady Vulcans of California University (8-5). The Lady Raiders battled hard and had some tough sets, as two of them were lost by a score of 26-24. The Vulcans came up victorious, sweeping Shippensburg 3 sets to zero (24-26, 24-26, 18-25). Junior Faith Athey and Gottshall led the team with 10 kills each.
On Saturday, the Lady Raiders were back in action against the Golden Eagles of Clarion University (12-0). The Golden Eagles came out victorious to remain undefeated with a score of 3 sets to zero (13-25, 16-25, 12-25). They once again led the Raiders with six kills while Plank led the team with 16 digs.
Later on Saturday night, the Lady Raiders closed the PSAC crossover with the Indiana Crimson Hawks (PA). Shippensburg lost their fourth game in two days with a score of 3 sets to 1 (17-25, 25-21, 25-27, 18-25). Sophomore Annie Goerl led the team with 17 kills and a career-high 22 digs. Freshman Courtney Malott recorded a career-high in digs on the night as well with 19.
Shippensburg head coach Leanne Piscotty was disappointed to start the home season this way.
“We have a really young team,” said Piscotty. “We are competing against very talented teams and we definitely learned some things about ourselves this weekend. We’ve been struggling with team chemistry and communication errors so far; so that is definitely something we hill have to improve on as the season rolls on.”
The Lady Raiders will return to Heiges Field House next Tuesday when they take on the Millersville University Marauders. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
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