SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - - Shepherd University posted a 3-0 (25-9, 25-16, 25-15) volleyball victory over UVa-Wise in the opening round of the inaugural Mountain East Conference Tournament on Tuesday.  With the victory, the Rams will advance to the quarterfinal round to face West Virginia Wesleyan at 5 pm on Thursday in Wheeling, W.Va.

Shepherd (14-16) used 16 attack errors and eight reception errors by UVa-Wise (7-22) to advance in the tournament.  The Rams' Kayla Motheral led all players with 11 kills while Taylor Belella handed out a match-high 37 assists.  In addition, the duo of Laura Summa and Melani Lewis tied for team-high dig honors with 12.

The Cavaliers received a match-high 17 digs from Karley Allen and Vernoica Sanchez added 17 assists in the season ending defeat.

Head Coach Kristen Salyer's club will not lose a player due to graduation and are projected to return all 14 players from this year's squad moving into next season.