By Justin Cole, Sports Writer
In the Rams’ first match Saturday evening at the Shepherd Showdown, the Battlers of Alderson Broaddus made it tough for Shepherd in the first set with the score changing a total of four times. Both teams looked sharp in set one, but the Rams would take it in a 25-22 win.
In the second set senior Amanda Snowden had a spectacular kill to set the tone for the rest of the match, as she had a total of 16 kills, leading both teams. That wouldn’t be enough as the Battlers rallied well, forcing Coach Alex Hoekstra to call a timeout with the score 16-19 in favor of Alderson Broaddus. The Rams would regather and make it close but Alderson Broaddus took set 2, 25-23.
Shepherd kept their composure and came together as a team in set three, getting out to a quick lead over the Battlers. The Rams had a great defensive stand led by sophomore Seone Goode, with three back-to-back blocks, as the crowd roared and the team celebrated as they took set three 25-18.
In the fourth and final set of the match the Rams continued their great ball movement, setting each other up well with 34 assists, led by Sophomore Jessica Karcz, who had a total of 33 assists. Shepherd’s remarkable team chemistry is what separated them from their opponents on Saturday, as the Rams would finish off the Battlers of Alderson Broaddus, (3-1), 25-22, 25-23, 25-18, 25-17.
The Rams looked unstoppable in their last game Saturday against Virginia State. In the beginning of the match Shepherd took control as they would throughout the rest of the game. The Rams’ offense looked sharp as they had a total of 39 kills led by sophomore Cambriea Hill, who had 13. The Rams would take the set 25-17.
In the second set the Rams continued their strategy to serve to a weak passer, as sophomore Jessica Karcz served in an outstanding manner with three back-to-back aces. The strategy worked out great for the Rams, as they would have a total of eight kills throughout the match, and blow past the Trojans’ 25-14 in set two.
Virginia State came alive in the third set, rallying back and forth with Shepherd, having a total of 43 digs compared to Shepherd’s 38. Freshman Jailyn Ivey led the Trojan’s with 13 digs, as she tried to encourage her team that they were still in the game. Although it was not enough as Shepherd pulled through 25-19 once again demonstrating their remarkable team chemistry. The Rams played well with just eight active players on the roster.
Justin Cole is a Sports Reporter for the Picket and can be reached at: jcole07@rams.shepherd.edu
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