The Fairmont State Falcons dealt the Shepherd University Rams an upsetting five game loss on Senior Night last Wednesday.
The intensity was high in the Butcher Athletic Center as third place Shepherd hosted second place Fairmont State in a West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) game. Shepherd took the first two games, 25-20 and 25-16. Fairmont State rallied back to win the next two, 25-19 and 25-21. It all came down to an extremely close fifth game which Fairmont State came out ahead to victory with a final score of 16-14.
Standouts of the night for the Rams were freshman outside hitter, Kayla Walker, who had 14 kills and 19 digs. Sophomore outside hitter, Kasey Mercier, recorded 12 kills and 15digs. Junior setter, Lauren Jeschelnik, had 32 assists, 15 digs and 2 aces.
Shepherd Volleyball's only senior, Virginia Rogus, was honored during the game. "This game was filled with tons of emotions. There was excitement, happiness that I had accomplished getting to my senior night, and sadness since my volleyball career is coming to an end," says Rogus.
Rogus has been a setter for the volleyball team all four years while attending Shepherd. She is a Recreation and Leisure major hailing from Martinsburg, West Virginia. In Rogus' career (as of October 27th) she has played in 239 games and recorded 341 digs and 948 assists.
As the season finally draws to a close, not only will Rogus miss playing volleyball every day but she'll especially miss her teammates. "My bond with my teammates is amazing. They have become my best friends. I'm really going to miss seeing their faces every day," she states.
On Saturday, Shepherd Volleyball hosted two games, the first against the Concord Mountain Lions and the second against the Glenville State Pioneers.
The Rams beat the Mountain Lions in four games. Shepherd came out strong winning the first two games 26-16 and 25-18. Concord rallied back in the third game to stay alive with a score of 25-17. In the fourth game, Shepherd found their spark again and crushed Concord 25-12.
Sophomore defensive specialist, Theresa McElroy, led the Rams with 18 digs. Walker recorded 17 digs and 17 kills. Mercier had 16 kills and 5 aces, while Jeschelnik made 31 assists.
Shepherd volleyball hit the court again later in the afternoon to face Glenville. Shepherd downed Glenville in 3 games; scores were 25-16, 25-16, and 25-18. Senior setter, Virginia Rogus, recorded 25 assists, while McElroy led the Rams again with 13 digs. Sophomore outside hitter, Lauren Gardner, added 13 digs, while freshman middle hitter Meg Kenny and Mercier posted 9 kills each.
Shepherd Volleyball improves their record to 12-15 overall and 9-3 in WVIAC competition. Shepherd University currently ranks fifth in WVIAC volleyball standings with two games left in regular season action.
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