The Shippensburg University volleyball team defeated Shepherd in straight sets Friday night to open its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division schedule with a win. The victory marks Shippensburg's (9-5, 1-0 PSAC East) first sweep of Shepherd in 10 years (The Rams joined the PSAC in 2019). Set scores were 25-23, 25-18, and 25-21.
 
Two Raiders reached double-digits kills in the match, as the team collectively swung for an efficient .248 hitting percentage – its third highest in a match this season. Freshman Gracen Nutt led the attacking effort with 12 kills and just two errors, while junior Emily Gardner posted 10 kills and 12 digs for her fifth double-double of the season.  
 
Sophomore Kearstin Davis facilitated the offense with 33 assists while adding seven digs and two aces. Freshman libero Shay Kolivoski contributed a strong performance on serve with four of SU's 10 aces. It was the third time this season the Raiders had 10 or more aces in a match this season.
 
With five of SU's 10 blocks, senior Kaitlyn Townsend turned in a strong defensive performance. She added eight kills on a team-high .438 hitting percentage.
 
It was a tight first set between the two teams with six lead changes and 13 tie scores. Tied for the final time at 23-23, it was a service ace from junior Maddie Clabaugh that created the set point. Nutt led the attack with four kills in the set and closed out the frame with one.
 
Shippensburg was in control for the majority of the second set. Although the Rams built an early 4-0 advantage, SU successfully countered with five consecutive points. When Shepherd got back in front again at 7-6, the Raiders used another extended 6-0 run to recapture the lead which they kept for the rest of the frame. Nutt had five kills in the set and Kolivoski served three aces.
 
SU had to dig itself out of a 6-1 deficit early in the third. The frame was turned around when the Raiders built a 7-1 run midway through the set that was highlighted by three kills by sophomore Isabelle Bombas. The Rams challenged near the end of the match at 23-21, but consecutive kills from Nutt and Bombas secured SU's first sweep at Shepherd since 2011.
 
Shippensburg continues its road stretch with a match at Chestnut Hill on Tuesday at 7 p.m.