After starting the season in slightly below average fashion, the Shepherd Volleyball team has posted back-to-back wins and managed to get back to the .500 mark for the 2013 Fall season. After posting consecutive losses in Brookville, N.Y., the Rams faced a crossroads for their season. Fortunately for them, their victories allow the season to be salvaged.
The Rams traveled down I-81 to visit Athens, W.Va. to take on the Concord Mountain Lions this past Friday. The game was a rousing success for Shepherd. The Rams posted a straight sets victory over Concord, winning 25-18, 28-26 and 25-18. It was a comprehensive victory to say the least.
Ohio native Valerie Bour paced the Rams, recording 13 kills on the day. Melani Lewis of Brentwood, N.Y., added seven kills and 12 digs for the Rams, while Taylor Belella of Smithsburg, Md. posted a superb 19 assists and 12 digs. Sophomore right side Taylor Allen of Inwood, W.Va. added a match-high 16 digs, while freshman Delaware native Lauren Summa added 14 for the Rams.
The win over Concord was very big for the volleyball program. It pulled them back to being just one match below .500 and was their first match and first win in the newly formed Mountain East Conference. To put it lightly, this will be a victory that head coach Sarah Smith will remember for a very long time.
After departing Athens, the Rams made the two hour and 20 minute trip to Wise, Va. to take on brand new Mountain East opponent University of Virginia College at Wise. For the second straight match, the Rams not only won, but they did so convincingly and in straight sets. The final result was 25-23, 25-21 and 25-19. Winning in straight sets not only upsets the opponent, it helps preserve the body over the long grind that is a volleyball season.
Bour had an impressive nine kills for Shepherd, while Melani Lewis added seven. Freshman Tommie Jo David of Virginia Beach, Va. had 15 assists, while junior setter Taylor Belella added an impressive 16. Lauren Summa added 18 digs for the Rams, an impressive number considering the match only lasted the minimum three sets.
The Rams will continue their long road swing when they take on Urbana in Urbana, Ohio, on Oct. 4. Following Urbana, the Rams will travel to Euclid, Ohio to play the Notre Dame. After Notre Dame, Shepherd will take play Fairmont on Oct. 8. Their next home match is not until Oct. 11. With all of these Mountain East opponents upcoming, the Rams really have a chance to distance themselves from the rest of the pack. As the saying goes, the cream always rises to the top.
Leave a Reply