SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University opened the season with a 3-0 mark in volleyball action at the Ram Rumble at the Butcher Center on Friday. The Rams posted a 3-0 (28-26, 25-20, 27-25) win over Alderson Broaddus in the opener. The Rams also added a 3-1 (25-16, 25-16, 20-25, 25-12) win over Chowan and a 3-0 (25-17, 25-12, 25-15) triumph over Felician. 

Sophomore middle blocker Joi Fairweather (Tamarac, Fla./Calvary Christian Academy) led the Rams with seven kills against the Battlers. Graduate student outside hitter Alex Farnsworth (Las Vegas, Nev./Liberty) and sophomore middle hitter Renee Killough (Bloomery, W.Va/Hampshire) each added six kills. 

Senior outside hitter Kitanna Rakestraw (Uhrichsville, Ohio/Indian Valley) and freshman middle blocker Riley Moreno (Elburn, Ill./St. Charles North) each had four blocks, while redshirt sophomore libero Claire Ellis (Louisa, Va./Saint Catherine's School) led the Rams with seven digs and five aces. 

Jocie Fisher had nine kills and three aces for Alderson Broaddus. Kaitlyn Jager added 16 assists and five digs. 

Farnsworth had seven kills, five aces, and six digs to pace the Rams against Chowan. Freshman setter Macy Buso (Parker, Colo./Chaparral) and junior setter Victoria Nicholes (North Huntington, Pa./Norwin) each had 12 assists. 

Anixa Rosa-Martinez had nine kills and six digs for Chowan. 

Senior outside hitter Mikaylah Hoy (Sharpsburg, Md./Heritage Academy) and Killough each had eight kills to lead the Rams against Felician. Ellis added a match-high 16 digs. 

Catherine Lentsch had 10 kills for Felician.

The Rams return to action on Saturday for final-day action of the Ram Rumble. Shepherd will host Dominican at 5 p.m. and Shaw at 7 p.m.