LANGHORNE, Pa. – The Cairn University women's volleyball team won by a score of 3-1 (15-25, 26-24, 25-17, 25-14) at home against Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) adversary Saint Elizabeth University on Saturday afternoon. With the win, Cairn clinched a berth in the upcoming CSAC playoffs, which will mark its first postseason appearance since 2014.
Before the match, the Highlanders honored their three seniors,
Caroline Bennett (Little Silver, NJ / Red Bank Regional),
Allison Barnes (Macungie, PA / Salem Christian) and
Tasaday Pouncy (Coatesville, PA / Collegium Charter) with a special ceremony highlighting their accomplishments as Highlanders.
In the first set, Saint Elizabeth (4-13, 3-4 CSAC) caught Cairn (10-12, 5-2 CSAC) off guard, jetting out to a 20-12 lead and claimed the set by a core of 25-15. In the second set, the Highlanders were one point away from falling behind 2-0 in the match, trailing 24-21. However, Cairn fought back, rattling off five-straight points boosted by two service aces from Barnes to steal the set from the Eagles. In set three, Cairn used the momentum obtained from set two, storming out to a 6-0 lead and never trailed in the set. In the fourth and final set, the Highlanders trailed 7-5 before going on a 15-3 run to reclaim momentum and finished off the Eagles for the victory.
Cairn was led offensively by freshman
Caroline Conrad (Bangkok, Thailand / International Community School) who put up a game- and career high 14 kills to go along with 16 digs, tying a team-high. Barnes followed with 12 kills, four service aces and two solo blocks (both game-highs). Freshman
Peyton Queen (Orlando, FL / Lake Mary) also finished in double figures with 10 kills and 15 digs. Junior
Kali Burres (Wanaque, NJ / Hawthorn Christian) added nine kills and 11 digs, while sophomore
Olivia Zepp (Westminster, MD / Francis Scott Key) dished out a game-and career high 39 assists in the victory. Junior libero
Lizzy Fay (Langhorne, PA / Neshaminy) led the Cairn defense, tying a team-high with 16 digs.
Cairn will be back on the court on Wednesday, October 27 when they hit the road for its second to last CSAC match of the season, taking on Bryn Athyn College at 7 p.m.
