WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Shenandoah University volleyball team completed its play at the Gallaudet University Invitational Saturday by dropping a pair of matches.
 
Shenandoah (2-5) opened with a five-set loss to St. Vincent before being swept by Virginia Wesleyan. 
 

IN BRIEF - MATCH ONE

 
After dropping the opening set 26-24, the Hornets found themselves one set from victory after winning at 19 and 18 in sets two and three, respectively.
 
SVC (4-4) had other ideas though, taking the fourth, 25-22, before clinching with a 15-11 win in the fifth.
 
With the final set tied, 4-4, the Bearcats reeled off an 8-3 run to seize momentum. Trailing 12-7 at this point, the Hornets got no closer than three points the rest of the way.
 
Emily Cheatwood had 17 kills, Kate Poppo 13 and Sabrina Semo 11 to lead the SU offense.
 
Megan Hillyard had 29 assists and Brooke Wagner 22.
 
Niki Balestri had 28 digs, Poppo 22 and Semo 17 to pace the defensive effort.

IN BRIEF - MATCH TWO

Virginia Wesleyan (7-0) continued its strong start to the 2019 season with 25-15, 28-26, 25-16 win over Shenandoah in the Hornets final match of the tournament.

SU held a 24-17 lead following a Poppo kill but could not stop the Marlins from crawling back into the set with seven straight points.

Now tied at 24-all, a Marlins attack error gave the Hornets the serve back with the chance to close out the set.

VWU again staved off defeat, converting a Shenandoah attack error combined with a ball handling error to put itself one point from the win.

Cheatwood again brought the match back to level before a pair of Marlins kills clinched the set victory.

Cheatwood led the offense with nine kills and Semo added five.

Hillyard had 16 assists and Balestri 20 of the squad's 40 digs.
 
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