LANGHORNE, Pa. – The Cairn University women's volleyball dropped their second Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) contest of the season by the way of a 3-0 (17-25, 23-25, 19-25) defeat at home against defending conference champion Cedar Crest College on Wednesday evening.
 
Cedar Crest (8-8, 5-1 CSAC) proved its status as the defending conference champion early, claiming a 25-17 victory in set one to take a 1-0 match lead over Cairn (14-4, 4-2 CSAC). The Highlanders responded accordingly, battling through a second frame that saw eight different ties between the two programs. Cedar Crest held a 24-20 advantage near the end of the set, but the Highlanders nearly stole the stanza after rattling off three consecutive points. However, a kill by the Falcons claimed the set and gave Cedar Crest a 2-0 match lead. Cairn fought through set three, trailing 22-19 towards its conclusion, but a three-point rally to close out the match by the Falcons put away the Highlanders.
 
Cairn was led offensively by sophomore Caroline Conrad (Bangkok, Thailand / International Community School) with a team-high 11 kills to go along with 15 digs. Fifth-year Allison Barnes (Macungie, PA / Salem Christian) and senior Kali Burres-Cheeley (Wanaque, NJ / Hawthorne Christian) followed with seven kills a-piece, while Burres-Cheeley added 11 digs. Junior Olivia Zepp (Westminster, MD / Francis Scott Key) dished out a team-high 28 assists and added 15 digs. Senior Lizzy Fay (Langhorne, PA / Neshaminy) tied a season-high with 18 digs and freshman Payton Cline (Falling Waters, WV / Heritage Academy) followed closely with 17 digs.
 
The Highlanders will be back on the hardwood tomorrow when they welcome Lancaster Bible College to the 'Horne for their final non-conference tilt of the season inside the Mason Activity Center at 7 p.m. for their annual Dig Pink night.