ETTRICK, Va. – The Shepherd University volleyball team opened the 2019 season  with a pair of wins at the Virginia State Tournament on Friday. The Rams outlasted Davis & Elkins for a 3-2 (25-18, 17-25, 25-16, 19-25, 19-17) triumph and added a 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-22) win over Georgia Court in a later match.

Senior outside hitter Peyton Lindblad (Spotsylvania, Va./Riverbend) led the Rams with 13 kills in the win over D&E. Junior outside hitter Cambriea Hill (Columbia, Md./Hammond) added six kills, five aces, and seven digs.

Senior libero Imani Major (Gainesville, Va./Millbrook) posted a team-high 19 digs, while freshman outside hitter Mikaylah Hoy (Sharpsburg, Md./Heritage Academy) added 12 digs and four aces.

Junior setter Jessica Karcz (Westminster, Md./Westminster) contributed 15 assists and freshman setter Mackenzie Mahon (Culpeper, Va./Loudoun Valley) had 14. Freshman middle blocker Elyssia Smith (Fredericksburg, Va./Colonial Forge) topped the Rams with five blocks (two solo).

Kaitlyn LaCour had 11 kills and 19 digs to lead the Senators. Jessa Henry added 14 assists and seven digs.

Lindblad and junior middle hitter Nicole Murray (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) each had eight kills to pace the Rams in the win over Georgian Court. Senior outside hitter Seone Goode (Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend) contributed seven kills.

Mahon (17) and Karcz (10) combined for 27 assists, while Major posted a match-high 16 digs.

Aubrey Binkley had five kills, 10 digs, and a pair of aces to lead Georgian Court. Trilby Kite added nine assists and three digs.

The Rams return to tournament action on Saturday when they face host Virginia State at 11 a.m. and Alderson Broaddus at 3 p.m.