Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – UVa-Wise volleyball was on the losing end of two non-conference 3-0 sweeps Saturday at the Shippensburg University Raider Classic. The Cavaliers (0-8) were defeated by Shepherd University (4-3) in the first match of day before falling to Philadelphia University (6-3) this afternoon.
 
Playing against a Mountain East Conference opponent, but counting as a non-conference match, UVa-Wise saw the Rams of Shepherd hit .277 and collect 45 total kills in a 25-17, 25-21, 25-22 loss. The Cavs hit 32 kills and recorded eight aces but could not claim a set victory, despite leading early in each set.
 
The Cavs led by as much as seven in the first set with a 12-5 advantage but several runs by Shepherd propelled the Rams to a 25-17 opening-set win. In the second set, UVa-Wise built an early 8-1 lead but was not able to sustain it as Shepherd came back to take a 23-19 advantage before winning the set 25-21. The final set saw the Cavs lead by seven twice at 18-11 and 20-13 but Shepherd quickly rebounded to claim 12 of the last 14 points and clinch the match.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Ciara Kain (Leesburg, Va.) led the Cavs offense in the match with 10 kills as sophomore right side hitter Amanda Auxier (Midlothian, Va.) and senior middle blocker Santana Bishop (Gate City, Va.) each added seven. Senior defensive specialist Erin Anderson (Richmond, Va.) served up a match-high five aces, while Biship made two blocks and freshman setter Morgan Milligan (Bridgewater, Va.) dished out a match-high 22 assists. Senior libero Erin Lee (Fincastle, Va.) and Milligan combined for 17 digs in the contest.
 
The Rams of Shepherd were led by Peyton Lindblad, who recorded 14 kills and three blocks, and Jaila Bell, who posted 11 kills. Kelsey Anderson hit three aces and made a match-high 18 digs for Shepherd, while Seone Goode came away with three blocks and Becca Kern assisted on 20 kills.
 
Taking on the Rams – this time of the Philadelphia University variety – in the second match of the day, UVa-Wise was only able to manage 21 total kills as Philadelphia held the Cavs to .051 attack percentage. The Rams of Philadelphia hit .230 for the three sets and accounted for 43 kills.
 
With UVa-Wise never leading in the opening set, Philadelphia took a 25-20 first-set victory before coming back from being down 11-7 and 14-11 to win the second set, 25-18. The Rams built a commanding 21-11 lead in the third set but the Cavs won seven of the last 11 points of the match, before falling 25-18 once again.
 
Senior outside hitter Karley Allen (Lanexa, Va.) led the Cavs offensively with nine kills and three aces as Bishop added two blocks. Milligan earned a team-high nine digs and assisted on 17 of the Cavs' 21 kills.
 
Courtney Wensel and Amber Johnson led the way for Philadelphia as each registered 10 kills. The Rams' Alexis Leddy accounted for four aces and 10 digs, while Wensel made a match-high 14 digs and Alexandra Harrington dished out a match-high 34 assists.
 
The Cavs will now turn to their home opener Tuesday against Lees-McRae College. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. from inside the David J. Prior Convocation Center.
 
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