Stevenson University women’s volleyball fell to Lebanon Valley College, 3-1, on Nov. 7 in Owings Mills, Md., despite a strong third-set comeback. Rachel Lenz led Stevenson with 18 kills, 17 digs, two solo blocks, and a team-high 22 points.
Stevenson honored six seniors before the non-conference match and rallied to take the third set after falling behind two sets to none. Lebanon Valley secured the victory with set scores of 25-19, 25-15, 20-25, and 28-26.
Lebanon Valley College Takes Early Match Lead
Lebanon Valley opened the match with a 4-0 lead before Stevenson settled in offensively. Emma Shaffer recorded Stevenson’s first kill, while Declyn Tooze added a service ace and Emily McElwaine and Rachel Lenz contributed kills. Lebanon Valley extended its lead to 21-7, but Stevenson mounted a late push by scoring 12 of the next 18 points. Kills from Maren Zepfel, Lenz, and Shaffer helped close the gap before Lebanon Valley secured the opening set, 25-19.
Stevenson attempted to even the match in the second set, with Lenz, Shaffer, and Lillianna Hornickle contributing at the net. Lebanon Valley gradually created separation and closed out the set, 25-15, to take a 2-0 lead.
Stevenson Wins Third Set
Facing a two-set deficit, Stevenson opened the third set with a 4-0 run and built momentum behind early kills from Shaffer and Zepfel. The Mustangs capitalized on Lebanon Valley errors while Lenz and Shaffer continued to contribute offensively. Kills from Zepfel, Lenz, and Sydney Salazar helped Stevenson maintain control. Hornickle and McElwaine added blocks, and Lenz delivered back-to-back service aces as the Mustangs pushed their lead to 23-19. Hornickle followed with a kill before Shaffer delivered the set-winning point. Stevenson won the third set, 25-20, to cut the match deficit to 2-1.
Lebanon Valley Wins Extended Fourth Set
Stevenson carried its momentum into the fourth set, opening with a 2-0 lead and building a 5-1 advantage. Isabella Terra added a service ace, while Lenz, Shaffer, and Zepfel contributed kills. Lebanon Valley rallied to tie the set at 12-12, and the teams traded points throughout the remainder of the frame. Kills from Zepfel and Lenz helped Stevenson turn an 18-18 tie into a 21-18 lead. Lebanon Valley later tied the score at 23-23 before the teams traded points in an extended finish. Shaffer’s kill made it 26-26, but Lebanon Valley scored the final two points to win the set, 28-26, and complete the 3-1 victory.
Stevenson Advances to MAC Commonwealth Semifinals
Shaffer finished with 14 kills and 10 digs while hitting .257. Zepfel added nine kills and hit .250, and Tooze paced Stevenson with 33 assists and five digs. Terra recorded nine digs and one service ace. Stevenson totaled 49 kills, 65 digs, six service aces, and nine total blocks.
Stevenson is scheduled to host No. 3 Messiah University in the MAC Commonwealth Semifinals on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. in Owings Mills Gymnasium. The MAC Commonwealth Final is scheduled for Nov. 14, with the time to be determined.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Stevenson University women’s volleyball responded to a two-set deficit by controlling the third set and pushing the fourth beyond 25 points. Lenz led the Mustangs across several statistical categories, while Shaffer, Zepfel, and Tooze also produced significant numbers in the four-set non-conference loss.
Source: Original report
