PHOENIXVILLE, PA - They had their opportunities, but couldn't quite capitalize.  The University of Valley Forge Women's Volleyball Team ran out of steam against Christendom and dropped the final two sets to lose the match 2-3 (25-27, 25-22, 25-20, 20-25, 11-15).  Both teams battled back and forth all afternoon long, but the Patriots were outdone by the Crusaders in the end.

Their were several stellar performances from the Patriots in this match.  Freshman Megan Freed led the Patriots in kills with 11, while fellow freshman Lindsay Lesueur finished with 10.  They were a force at the net all match long.  Senior Shelby Shepherd also did her part to keep the Patriots going.  She finished with 7 kills and tied a career-high with 4 blocks.  Former Libero of the Year Brittany Eberly had 35 digs and made some incredible plays to keep plays alive for the Patriots.  Setter Jamie Summers finished with 24 assists.

Leading 20-16, the Patriots had an opportunity to take control of the match in the first set, but the Crusaders rallied to win 27-25.  Again the Patriots had a commanding lead the second set, 22-16, but the Crusaders rallied to tie it at 22.  This time however, the Patriots answered with kills from Megan Freed and Shelby Shephed to win the set 25-22.  The story seemed to repeat itself yet again in the third set.  The Patriots were up 18-11, but the Crusaders rallied again to make it 21-20.  Learning from their mistakes in the first set, the Patriots answered again with kills from Freed and Maria Albanese and won the third set 25-20.

With only needing one more set for the victory, the Patriots gave a good push in the fourth set.  It was back and forth as the Crusaders were fighting to stay alive.  This time the Patriots trailed 21-20, and the Crusaders answered with 4 straight points to send the match to a 5th and final set. In the final set the Crusaders took control early, building an 11-5 lead.  The Patriots did their best to rally, but came up short.  The Crusaders held on for a 15-11 victory in the deciding set.  

The Patriots will look to rebound quickly as they'll head to Cairn University on Tuesday, September 8th at 7PM to take on the Highlanders in a rivalry match.  

Go Patriots!