(THE PICKET) – The Shepherd Rams women’s volleyball team lost their season opener in the Spike Out for Hunger Challenge against the Winston-Salem State Rams Friday night 3 sets to 1.
Shepherd started out strong, winning the first set 27-25. Shepherd had 13 kills with 48 attempts. Winston-Salem State swept the next three sets, winning the first set 25-17, the second set 25-12 and the third set 25-19. The WSSU Rams led most statistical categories, but Shepherd freshman setter Cyera Dixon caught the eyes of all 112 spectators in the stands with a great first collegiate performance.
Taylor Allen (SU) and Teynia Sheperd (WSSU) both led their teams with 12 kills. Taylor Allen is one of three senior outside hitters for the Rams. Taylor also led the SU Rams with three aces, along with Shepherd and Mitchell of the WSSU Rams who led their team with three aces as well. WSSU’s Olivia Owens controlled the net with 7 of their 22 blocks, while Shepherd’s net presence was less than desirable with only three blocks on the day. Cyera Dixon had 28 assists, while Jasmine Smith (WSSU) led her team with 30 assists. The Shepherd Rams narrowly beat out WSSU in digs with Kelsey Anderson’s 17 being one more than WSSU’s Michel Murray-Garcia’s 16 digs.
The Shepherd Rams start off the season 0-1 and will take on Chowan University and Fayetteville State University in the second day of the tournament, Sept. 5, at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Winston-Salem State University.