LANGHORNE, PA – Cairn Women's Volleyball hosted the conference leading Bison of Gallaudet University on Friday night for the first time in history (women's volleyball) as the Highlanders were swept in three sets.
 
Gallaudet (25-4 / 8-0 UNITED EAST) opened play ahead 6-2 with senior outside hitter Caroline Conrad (Bangkok, Thailand / International Community School) scoring two kills to cut the lead to 6-4. The Bison went running again, up 14-6 as Cairn (14-5 / 6-2 UNITED EAST) tried to get the ball moving in the scoring column. Senior opposite Hendryl Peabody (Bensalem, PA / Faith Baptist Christian Academy) found open floor on the other side of the net for two kills, then teaming up with freshman middle Maddie Shackelford (Warrington, PA / Plumstead Christian) for a block assist as the lead was cut to seven. Gallaudet pushed it to 25 with Shackelford adding another kill before the Highlanders surrendered the first set, 25-14.
 
In the second set, Cairn took a brief 3-2 lead before the Bison began building yet another lead. The Highlanders would stay within striking range, only down by two after an ace from junior libero Payton Cline (Falling Waters, WV / Heritage Academy). Peabody and Conrad each added two more kills to stop the Gallaudet run, Peabody and Shackelford teaming up at the net once again. Peabody scored twice more before Gallaudet crossed the finish line, 25-18.
 
The Bison opened the third set on five straight points, running up to 8-2. Conrad and sophomore middle Georgianna Thorpe (Southampton, PA / William Tennent) each delivered kills before the Highlander offense was stalled, scoring their next three points on Bison service errors. Thorpe got the offense started again with two kills along with two aces by junior defensive specialist Delaney Hollenbeck (Kingsley, PA / Lackawanna College). Gallaudet made their final push, scoring four-straight before one final kill to win the match in three sets, 25-17.
 
Peabody finished with eleven kills on .381% hitting and two block assists. Conrad was next with seven kills and Thorpe added four. Shackelford collected three block assists with a kill. Gallaudet also handed over sixteen points to the Highlanders on service errors alone.
 
Cairn Women's Volleyball will be on the road one last time for the regular season Tuesday at Penn State Brandywine, which the Highlanders swept in non-conference play earlier this season, before closing conference play on Thursday night against Lancaster Bible College on Senior Night.