LANGHORNE, PA – Cairn Women's Volleyball hosted New Jersey City University for their annual DIG PINK game on Thursday night, sweeping the Gothic Knights in epic fashion.
 
New Jersey City (10-11 / 2-2 NJAC) took an 11-7 lead in the opening set before the Highlanders went on the attack, tying the game and taking the lead on back-to-back block assists by the team of senior opposite Hendryl Peabody (Bensalem, PA / Faith Baptist Christian Academy) and freshman middle Maddie Shackelford (Warrington, PA / Plumstead Christian). An ace by senior outside hitter Caroline Conrad (Bangkok, Thailand / International Community School) and kill from Peabody grew the Cairn (13-3 / 5-0 UNITED EAST) lead to three (14-11) and building as they moved ahead 22-17. Five kills from Peabody and four by sophomore middle Georgianna Thorpe (Southampton, PA / William Tennent) led the Highlanders to a 25-19 set victory.
 
The Gothic Knights got ahead 8-2 in the second frame forcing Cairn to match behind three kills from Conrad to take a 9-8 lead. A kill and block from Shackelford kept the lead in favor of the Highlanders. Trading scores back and forth, Cairn maintained the lead, flying through the finish on the attack of Thorpe and Conrad who each finished the set with three-straight kills, Conrad totaling eight kills in the frame.
 
Cairn opened on an 11-1 run with three kills apiece by Thorpe and Peabody, forcing an early timeout from the Gothic Knights. The Highlanders kept NJCU from getting going in the third set as they raced to the finish 25-11 with five kills in the set from Thorpe.
 
Another successful night for the Highlanders on DIG PINK night as they came away tenth sweep of the season. Thorpe tied a career-high with 12 kills on .526% hitting. Conrad and Peabody each finished with ten kills, Peabody with five block assists. Shackelford set a career-high in her net defense with seven total blocks (2 solo, 3 assists). Graduate setter Olivia Zepp (Westminster, MD / Francis Scott Key) tallied 38 assists in the three-set sweep.
 
Cairn will get back on the road Saturday as they head down to St. Mary's College of Maryland for a United East Conference matchup at 1 p.m.