MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – Shepherd University (2-4) split a pair of matches at the Mount Olive Invitational in volleyball action on Friday. The Rams dropped a 25-23, 20-25, 25-27, 14-25 decision to host Mount Olive (2-2) in an early match and rebounded with a 25-20, 21-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-11 win over Newberry (1-5) in a later match.
Junior middle blocker Joi Fairweather (Tamarac, Fla./Calvary Christian Academy) and freshman outside hitter Amya Davis (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) each had 12 kills to pace the Rams against Mount Olive.
Fairweather and sophomore middle hitter Renee Killough (Bloomery, W.Va./Hampshire) with five blocks each. Sophomore setter Macy Buso (Parker, Colorado/Chaparral) topped the team with 18 assists, while redshirt-junior libero Claire Ellis (Louisa, Va./Saint Catherine's School) recorded a team-best 16 digs.
Kate Carter had 15 kills and Ashlyn Stone added 14 to lead the Trojans. Stone also added 18 digs.
Fairweather had 15 kills, Davis had 14, and Killough added 13 to lead the Rams against Newberry. Killough also added six blocks.
Senior setter Victoria Nicholes (North Huntington, Pa./Norwin) posted a match-high 55 assists and Ellis added a match-high 22 digs. Freshman outside hitter Jordan Pryor (Middletown, Md./Middletown) topped the team with four aces.
Taylor Hall had 16 kills to lead Newberry. Annie Dill had 30 assists while Kannyn Boyd had 19 digs.
The Rams return to action on Saturday when they face Shaw at 11 a.m. and West Virginia State at 3 p.m. for final day action of the Mount Olive Invitational.
