LANGHORNE, PA-- Cairn hosted the Nittany Lions of Penn State Harrisburg on Saturday. The Nittany Lions came out on top with the win after a close third set.

The first set started out with Penn State Harrisburg (14-5, 5-1 United East) getting the lead with two immediate aces for the 2-0 lead. Cairn (14-5, 5-2 United East)  wouldn't let them get comfortable though, pushing to tie it up, junior setter Anna Dow (Syracuse, NY / Faith Heritage School) set up three of her teammates to make it 4-5, in favor of Harrisburg. The Nittany Lions found their footing and and with relentless pressure, they made the lead 13-6. Freshman outside hitter Marah Lehman (Chambersburg, PA / Chambersburg) tried to start a rally for Cairn with a big kill to make the score 13-7, but her efforts fell short as Harrisburg turned up the storm, and going on a 8-1 run to make the lead out of reach. Then they held Cairn to only two more points as they closed out the set, 25-11 to Harrisburg.

The second set starts in Cairn's favor as Lehman's kill and a Harrisburg error gave the Highlanders a 2-0 lead. The Nittany Lions tried to take the momentum back, but fell short as Cairn matched their effort, until Harrisburg stormed ahead and went on a 5-2 run to take the lead, but the Highlanders don't let down, as Lehman gets two aces and Freshman opposite Bella Manthe (Manila, Philippines / Faith Academy) gets a kill with Dow's assist. Cairn and Harrisburg then go on to exchange the next seven points as the score became 15-13 in Harrisburg's favor. The two teams battle it out for the lead as neither team can gain a solid momentum, but the Nitty Lions hold on and claim the second set, 25-20.

Cairn started out hot in the third set as junior outside hitter Bridget Dahn (Smithsburg, MD / Heritage Academy) got the first point for Cairn as they stormed to a 5-1 lead. Lehman and Dahn teamed up to get the next three kills for Cairn to extend their lead to 8-4. Harrisburg stole the momentum as they stormed away with five unanswered points to take a 9-8 lead. The Highlanders and the Nittany Lions then exchange the next 4 points, 2-2 each before Cairn finds a lead through Lehman. Sophomore middle blocker Maddie Shackelford (Warrington, PA / Plumstead Christian) kept Harrisburg from taking the lead will a kill from Dow's assist. Sophomore opposite Addy Benjamin (Laurel, DE / Homeschool) got a kill to make the score 19-17 in Cairn's favor. Kills from Shackelford and Dahn, as well as an ace from sophomore libero Liliana Magazzu (Reading, PA / Exeter Township) gave Cairn the match-point, 24-22, Harrisburg pushes to send the set longer. then went on a 3-0 run to claim the third set, 27-25 and the game 3-0.

Lehman led the game in kills with 10, as well as aces (2) and digs (11). Benjamin get the lone block of the game and Dow lead the assists board with 15.

Cairn will host Penn State Abington next Wednesday, October 22nd at 7pm in Langhorne, PA.