LANGHORNE, PA - The Cairn University Women's Volleyball team hosted the Nittany Lions of Penn State Brandywine in Langhorne, Tuesday night, taking care of business as the Highlanders swept the Nittany Lions, 3-0.

Penn State Brandywine (7-3) got things underway with 9-1 advantage over Cairn (5-5). Things went back-and-forth before senior setter Olivia Zepp (Westminster, MD / Francis Scott Key) took the ball to serve with the Highlanders down 17-10. On eight straight serves, Zepp recorded an ace along with three kills by junior outside hitter Caroline Conrad (Bangkok, Thailand / International Community School) bringing the score to 17-17. The Highlander comeback was alive and well as freshman middle blocker Georgianna Thorpe (Southampton, PA / William Tennent) smashed home the kill to win the set 25-22. The Nittany Lions tied to cool the Highlander momentum in the second frame, but were no match as Cairn went up 12-6 early. The suspense rose as Penn State Brandywine brought things back to within a single point. Junior opposite hitter Hendryl Peabody (Bensalem, PA / Faith Baptist Christian Academy) sent three straight kills over the net as the Highlanders took set two, 25-23. 

Cairn was rolling coming into set 3, kills by Peabody and Conrad put the home squad up 5-2 as the rally kept building. Two more kills by Conrad put the Highlanders up 15-8. The Nittany Lions made a final effort, tying the score at 19 before the Highlander attack sealed the victory on a sophomore libero Payton Cline (Falling Waters, WV / Heritage Academy) kill to win the match for the Highladers in the decisive third set, 25-20.

Coach Whitney Seidel remarked on the victory and historic achievements of the game, saying; "Tonight was such an incredible testament to how our team has grown through adversity this season. As they have committed to playing for each other, they've created a platform for each other to shine. There's no one more deserving of the spotlight than Henny - she's earned every accolade in her career and embodies everything we could hope for in a Cairn Women's Volleyball athlete."

Peabody, the reigning Cairn SAAC Student-Athlete of the Week, led the attack for the Highlanders on a career night for herself, recording career-highs in kills (18) and points (18.5) with a .500 attack %. Peabody also placed herself in the record book, now sitting tied for second in program history for kills in a single 3-set match, one short of the record. Conrad followed up with nine kills. Zepp collected 33 assists and 10 digs. 

Cairn Women's Volleyball returns to action on Thursday night as they head to Gwynedd Mercy University to take on the Griffins at 7 p.m. before taking part in the full slate of action this Saturday at Homecoming.