SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- The East Stroudsburg University women's volleyball team closed out the regular season with a straight-set loss to Shepherd Saturday afternoon. The set scores were 17-25, 12-25, and 22-25.
The Warriors finished the regular season with a 17-10 overall record and a 9-5 mark in conference play. The team's 25 kills were the lowest all season, along with a .000 hitting percentage.
Jadyn Orava led the Warriors with seven kills, while Kelly Crites and Leah Novatne each added six. Orava also led the team with four service aces as ESU totaled seven. Kyra Bishop and Novatne combined for seven blocks.
Set 1: The Warriors opened the match with back-to-back kills from Rylee Ruggiero and Crites to take an early 2-0 lead. The teams traded points before Shepherd used a 10-0 run to take a 13-5 advantage. Crites and Novatne each added kills, but another 4-0 run by the Rams extended their lead to 17-7. ESU made a late push with a 3-0 run to cut the deficit to five at 23-17, but Shepherd closed out the set with two kills to take it 25-17.
Set 2: Shepherd started the second set with a 6-0 run before the Warriors responded with five consecutive points to pull within one at 6-5. The Rams regained control with another 5-0 run to go ahead 11-6. Shepherd later extended its advantage to double digits with a 6-1 run, making it 19-8. The teams traded points down the stretch before the Rams secured the set, 25-12.
Set 3: The teams traded points early, keeping the score within two until ESU put together a 4-0 run to take a 15-11 lead, highlighted by consecutive service aces from Orava. The Warriors maintained their advantage until Shepherd evened the score at 19-19 and again at 21-21. Orava tied the set once more at 22-22, but the Rams closed with three straight points to complete the sweep.
Up Next
The #4E Warriors begin postseason play on Monday, November 9, when they host #5E Kutztown in the First Round of the PSAC Women's Volleyball Championship. More information to come.
