Homecoming weekend saw the Shippensburg University volleyball team split a pair of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matches to Central Division foes University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown (UPJ) and Lock Haven University inside Heiges Field House. 

The Friday night four-set loss to UPJ, by set scores of 25-20, 16-25, 25-23, and 18-25, snapped SU’s 10-match winning streak which dated back to a Sept. 16 victory over Fairmount State University. The loss also marked the first defeat for the Raiders in PSAC play.

SU looked outmatched by UPJ for most of the night in a battle of two of the top teams in the conference, as the Mountain Cats took the first two sets, paced by powerful runs. 

The first set saw the Mountain Cats go on an 8-2 run, which helped push them past the Raiders by a set score of 25-20. 

After the score was tied 1-1 early in the second set, UPJ took control using its powerful attack to lead the rest of the set and used a 10-4 run to pull away 18-11. SU would attempt a comeback, but it was shutdown by the Mountain Cats as they took the set by a score of 25-16. 

The Raiders would not end the night without making some noise of their own as they pulled together to win the third set by a score of 25-23. 

After the score was 19-17 in favor of the Raiders, they went on a 6-0 run to take a 24-17 advantage. SU stopped a comeback by the Mountain Cats as they scored six-straight points to come within one of the Raiders but a Mountain Cat attack error gave SU the set win. 

A well-fought fourth set saw neither team lead by more than two points until UPJ pulled away from the Raiders with a commanding 17-12 lead. 

The Mountain Cats scored five of the final six points in the match to win the fourth set by a score of 25-18 and handed SU its first PSAC loss. 

Sophomore Gabriella Johnson recorded her fifth double-double of the season for the Raiders with 10 kills and 12 digs. Pacing the Raider attack was Sophomore Samantha Webber as she had 16 kills, one shy of the match lead. 

The Raiders turned the tough loss into a dominating victory on Saturday as they had a quick turnaround for another PSAC Central Division matchup, this time sweeping Lock Haven in straight sets, 25-18, 25-20, and 25-23.

The first set was tied at 17, but the Raiders scored eight of the final nine points to win the set.

The second set opened with both teams trading points. SU scored the first three points but a quick response by Lock Haven tied the game. 

SU would never trail in the set, however, as it pulled away from the Bald Eagles and won 25-20. 

Lock Haven held a 22-18 advantage in the third set as they looked to force a fourth set, but the Raiders finished off the set on a 7-1 scoring run to win the match and record their 10th PSAC win of the year.

With the win, SU became the first team in the conference to record 10 wins in conference play.

Junior Morgan DeFloria led SU with 13 kills against the Bald Eagles, as Johnson and Webber were right behind her with 12 and 11 of their own, respectfully. 

Recording a match-high 39 assists was Freshman Emily Hangen, who continues to shine in her rookie collegiate campaign.

Freshman Gianna Sigado was called upon for her second collegiate start of her career and she played a key role for SU with 13 digs. Leading the way in digs for the Raiders was Sophomore Megan Forstburg with 19. 

The Raiders will now hit the road for their final non-conference matchup of the regular season as they travel to Goldey-Beacom Tuesday for a midweek showdown in Wilmington, Delaware, at 7 p.m.

SU will then return home to Heiges Field House, playing host to Clarion University on Friday, Oct. 27, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, Oct. 28. 

The matches will begin at 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. respectively.

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