Shippensburg University’s volleyball team is set to begin its 2024 season and build on a strong 2023 campaign that saw the Raiders win the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East division championship for the first time in program history.
Shippensburg went 23-9 overall last season, including an impressive 13-1 in conference play. The Raiders were the top seed in the East for the PSAC tournament but lost to Clarion in the semifinals at home, falling three sets to one to end the season.
One of the key faces returning for this year is sophomore outside hitter Gracen Nutt. She is coming off a standout season where she was named PSAC Freshman of the Year along with being selected for the All-PSAC East First Team. Nutt ranked eighth in the conference in kills at 328, including 15 games with at least 15 kills.
Another All-PSAC East First Team selection returning for the Raiders is junior setter Kearstin Davis. She averaged 9.81 assists per set with 1,148 overall, ranking third in the PSAC. She also racked up 335 digs on the season, with double-digit digs in at least 20 games.
Senior outside hitter Maddie Clabaugh will look to go out on a high note this year. She was named to the All-PSAC East Second Team that saw her rank second on the team in kills with 276 and third on the team in digs at 280. Clabaugh shined on both sides with five double-doubles last season.
The team returns five of its six primary starters from last year, with the only notable departure being Kaitlyn Townsend, who graduated after being named to the All-PSAC East First Team in her senior year.
The Raiders added seven new recruits this season, adding depth to the group for this year and beyond. One notable addition is sophomore middle blocker Kylie Snyder, who transferred in from Hagerstown Community College, where she was named to the All-Maryland JUCO First Team.
SU’s schedule kicks off with a rematch of the Raiders’ final game from last season, a matchup at Clarion as part of the Tony Banner Memorial Volleyball Tournament on Sept. 6. The Raiders will spend their first three weeks in tournaments away from home, also competing in the Crimson Hawk Classic and the PSAC/MEC Crossover. SU’s first home match is Sept. 27 at 7 p.m., hosting Shepherd University in Heiges Field House.
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