Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

The Shippensburg University women's volleyball team ended up with a hard-fought split of its Friday matches at the Minnesota-Duluth Classic, gutting out a three-set win over Erskine before dropping a match to the host Bulldogs in straight sets.

Shippensburg (3-2) had a battle with Erskine in its opener Friday, winning by scores of 25-23, 25-23 and 25-22. No. 6-ranked UMD took the nightcap by scores of 25-16, 25-20 and 25-16.

Shippensburg 3, Erskine 0

SU was able to close out all three sets against the Flying Fleet with kills – including two by senior Erin Flick and another by senior Jenny Pry.

Senior Rachel Smicker continued her top-notch play in the opener with 11 kills on just one error and a .476 hitting percentage. She also had three block assists. Freshman Taylor Gottshall maintained her exceptional pace with eight kills, a .316 hitting percentage, two aces, two solo blocks and a block assist against Erskine.

Junior Jill Edwards notched a double-double in the opener with 12 kills and 13 digs. Senior Andrea Heimsoth served as the floor general once again by contributing 44 assists, nine digs, three kills and two service aces in the win.

In the first set against Erskine, SU rallied with three straight points that came after a timeout at 20-19. Two kills by Edwards surrounded a Smicker kill, giving the Raiders a 22-20 advantage before the two teams alternated points to close the set.

SU trailed 15-9 in the second set before reeling off five straight points to get within one of the Flying Fleet. Down 20-17, the Raiders notched seven of the next eight points before holding on to close the set. Neither team led by more than three points at any time during the third set.

No. 6 Minnesota Duluth 3, Shippensburg 0

The Bulldogs (7-0), ranked No. 6 in Division II, closed the first set with moxie by recording 14 of the final 19 points in the frame. UMD had five blocks in the first half and held the Raiders to a negative hitting percentage.

SU had a strong rally late in the second set, cutting a 24-16 deficit to 24-20 before the Bulldogs ended the frame with a kill. The two teams exchanged points for most of the start of the third set before UMD pulled away after the score reached 10-9.

Jill Edwards had 10 kills to lead the Raiders and hit .241. Flick had five kills. Heimsoth added 21 assists and six digs.

SU had five team blocks – including a pair of block assists each for Heimsoth, Smicker and Flick. Gottshall had a solo block and two block assists.

The Raiders will face Minnesota-Crookston at 1 p.m. Saturday before a 5 p.m. clash with Bemidji State.