Box Score WHEELING, W.Va. – Shepherd University (23-7) dropped a 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-21) decision to West Liberty (19-13) in quarterfinal action of the MEC Tournament at Wheeling Jesuit on Thursday.

Senior middle hitter Christine Jackson (Stafford, Va./North Stafford) and senior outside hitter Amanda Snowden (Hagerstown, Md./Smithsburg) each had nine kills to lead the Rams. Sophomore outside hitter Peyton Lindblad (Spotsylvania, Va./Riverbend)  added eight kills.

Sophomore setter Jessica Karcz (Westminster, Md./Westminster) contributed 33 assists and 12 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Cambriea Hill (Columbia, Md./Hammond)  and  sophomore libero Imani Major (Gainesville, Va./Millbrook) each had 15 digs. Junior setter Becca Kern (Martinsburg, W.Va./Musselman) had 11 digs and freshman libero Milleysha Molina-Otero (Fairfax, Va./Chantilly) chipped in with 10.

Raimey Benson had 15 kills and three blocks to lead the Hilltoppers. Kailee Cunningham had 19 digs, while Amanda Leonard contributed 25 assists and seven kills.

Shepherd had a 21-20 lead late in the second set, but West Liberty finished with five consecutive points to win the set and take control of the match.

West Liberty advances to the tournament semifinals on Friday at 5 p.m. when they face the winner of today's quarterfinal match between Fairmont State and Urbana.

Notes: Shepherd's 23 win this season are the most since the Rams posted a 29-10 mark in 2002 ... this year's team is the first Shepherd team to register 20 wins or more since 2009 team posted a 21-12 record ... Shepherd's 11-4 mark in conference play this year is the best conference record as a Mountain East Conference member ... The Rams posted a 9-3 record at home to tie the 2014 team for the best home mark as an MEC team.