WHEELING, W.Va. – Third-seeded Shepherd University (24-5) dropped a 3-1 decision to sixth-seeded West Virginia State (30-4) in the first round of the Atlantic Region Tournament action at Wheeling Jesuit on Thursday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets gained a 25-22, 25-17, 23-25, 25-23 win. 

Junior outside hitter Kiara Rakestraw (Uhrichsville, Ohio/Indian Valley) and junior outside hitter Kitanna Rakestraw (Uhrichsville, Ohio/Indian Valley) each recorded 12 kills for the Rams. Kiara Rakestraw posted a double-double as she added 10 digs. 

Senior middle hitter Georgia Ohmke (Falls Church, Va./Justice) had eight block assists to lead the defense.  

Sophomore setter Victoria Nicholes (North Huntington, Pa./Norwin) had 38 assists and 16 digs, while redshirt-freshman defensive specialist/libero Claire Ellis (Louisa, Va./Saint Catherine's School) recorded a match-high 17 digs. Senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Brooke Dunn (Manassas Park, Va./Manassas Park) contributed 14 digs.

D2CCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year Jenna Dufresne had 16 kills and nine digs to lead the Yellow Jackets. Gabrielle Bullock added 13 kills and J'Lana Stone had 10. Alex Darby tied Ellis for game-high digs honors with 17. 

West Virginia State advances to the semifinal round on Friday to face the winner of the East Stroudsburg-Gannon match. 

Notes: Shepherd finishes the season with a 24-5 overall mark … Shepherd's .827 winning percentage is the best in program history … this season's  17-match win streak was one shy of the Shepherd record 18-match streak set in 2019 ... the Rams made their third consecutive (2018, 2019, 2021)regional appearance.