WINCHESTER, Va. - The Shenandoah University women's volleyball team evened its USA South Conference record at 4-4 Tuesday night with a 3-1 (30-28, 26-30, 30-26, 30-24) victory over visiting Ferrum College.

The win over the Lady Panthers (4-11, 3-5) gives the Hornets a sweep of the regular season series between the two schools. Shenandoah also owns a win over FC from a non-league meeting at the Washington & Lee Tournament in September.

While the Hornets first two victories over FC came via sweep, SU was forced to work much harder for Tuesday's triumph. Coach Sarah Pelster's club did not take its initial lead in game one until the score was 20-19 and at one point trailed by seven points. 

SU tried the same formula in game two, but Ferrum was able to hold off a couple of late rallies to pull out the four point win.

The Hornets finally took control of the match in the final two games by seizing the early lead and holding on as the two teams traded points and possessions. It was only in the fourth and final game that the hosts opened up a lead of more than four points.

Sophomore Jenny Gray (Sumerduck, Va./Liberty) had a match high 17 kills with Hannah Williams (Salem, Va./Glenvar) adding 12 and Tara Russell (Hagerstown, Md./Hagerstown CC) 10.

Five of the seven women who saw action in the match registered double digits in digs; Danielle Blackwell (Yorktown, Va./Grafton) led with 16.

Amy Holt led the Lady Panthers with 14 kills.

A complete box score can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/vb/2003/100703.htm

Pelster's team is now 7-14 overall.

Shenandoah is now off until October 18 when they take on Mary Washington and Lynchburg in a non-league tri-match at Mary Washington.