Clarks Summit, PA - After jumping to an early lead, the Highlanders fell at the hands of the Defenders of Baptist Bible College, 3-1.

Box Score

In a rematch of last season's NCCAA East Region Championship, Cairn took an early lead in the match by winning the first set 25-22. But the host, rallied to the tune of three straight sets to take the crucial Colonial States Athletic Conference victory.

In the second set with the score tied 6-6, BBC used a 7-0 run to break open the match and pretty much cruised to a 25-15 2nd set win. Down in the third set, 7-8, the Defenders used another big run to take control and jump to a 15-8 lead. Despite a 5 point swing by Cairn at the very end, BBC held on fora 25-18 win. There were no big runs in the 4th set as both teams battled back-and-forth with each other, but with the scored tied 24-24, BBC's Jessica White and Jaycee Shirk knocked back to back kills to finish off the Highlanders 26-24; and 3-1 on the night. 

Outside Hitter Abbie Keating led the way for the Highlanders with 9 kills. BBC's Jessica White reached 15 kills and teammate Jayvee Shirk notched 13 kills to lead all players. With a number of good volley's throughout the night, there were plenty of digs on hand for both sides. Cairn sophomore Brigid Shehan logged a 19 dig night and Erin Greenwood came up with 15. Both Ashleigh Colomina and Abbie Keating had 11 digs. No one had more, though, than Baptist's Emily Gordon who finished with 20.

BBC held the advantage in blocks 13-10 and edged out Cairn in service aces, 9-8.

With the loss, Cairn slips to 4-3 in conference play and into a four-way tie for fourth place. The Highlanders have four conference matches left and the top six earn playoff spots.

BBC improves to 7-2 in the CSAC and firmly has a spot in the top three.

The ladies return to the court this Saturday against Centenary College, one of the three teams Cairn is tied with in the standings. The match is set for 11am at Cairn.