LANGHORNE, Pa. – The Cairn University women's volleyball team saw its historic seven-match win-streak come to a close at home against non-conference foe Delaware Valley University in a five-set thriller (25-12, 17-25, 23-25, 26-24, 9-15) inside the Mason Activity Center on Tuesday evening.
 
Cairn (7-1) showed its prowess early in the contest, dominating Delaware Valley (4-4) in the first set en-route to a 25-12 first set victory to take a 1-0 lead in the match. The Aggies responded in set two with a 25-17 victory to even the match at one a-piece, before both teams embarked on an evenly contested third set. Cairn held a 22-19 lead nearing the end of the frame, but Del Val rattled off six of the last seven points to steal the set and take a 2-1 match advantage. In set four, the Aggies continued their momentum, looking to close out the match with a 24-17 lead, needing one final point. However, the ever resilient Highlanders refused to give in, igniting a miraculous nine-point run to down the Aggies and send the match to a fifth-and final set. In set five, the Aggies jetted out to an 11-6 lead before the Highlanders recorded two consecutive points to cut the deficit to three (11-8). Del Val finished off the Highlanders by scoring four of the final five points, capping off an entertaining, back-and-forth battle.
 
Cairn was led offensively by fifth-year Allison Barnes (Macungie, PA / Salem Christian), who slammed down a team-high 13 kills and tallied a career-high six blocks (three solo) at the net. Barnes was followed by sophomore Caroline Conrad (Bangkok, Thailand / International Community School) who finished with 11 kills and a season-high 24 digs. Junior Olivia Zepp (Westminster, MD / Francis Scott Key) dished out a career-high 40 assists on the evening to go along with 14 digs. Freshman Payton Cline (Falling Waters, WV / Heritage Academy) led the defensive effort with a match- and career high 30 digs, while seniors Kali Burres-Cheeley (Wanaque, NJ / Hawthorne Christian) and Lizzy Fay (Langhorne, PA / Neshanimy) added 25 digs and 18 digs, respectively (both season-highs).
 
Cairn will be back on the hardwood on Thursday, September 22 when it hits the road for a non-conference tilt with Immaculata University at 7 p.m.