MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The Millersville University volleyball team (11-20) saw their season come to a close on Saturday with a loss to the PSAC East leading Shepherd Rams in their regular season finale.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
25-21, 25-22, 25-20

• Millersville led the first set as late as 11-10 before a four-point Shepherd run put the Rams ahead for good. The Marauders kept the set close, getting within one point as 'Ville trailed 19-18 late in the set. A Shepherd ace ended the first set 25-21.
• The second set again saw Millersville hang tight with Shepherd, with the Marauders leading until a Victoria Nicholes ace tied things at 21-21. 'Ville would retake the led on a Nicholes service error following the ace, but a four-point Rams rally ended the set, giving Shepherd a 2-0 match advantage.
• The Marauders continued to challenge the Rams, who came into play with a 22-3 record, in the third set. 'Ville held the lead for the majority of the set and took a late deficit on a service error which put Shepherd ahead 20-19. Millersville was unable to mount a comeback, falling in three straight sets as the Rams were able to close out the final handful of points in each set, despite excellent defense from the Marauders.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Lauren Lucas recorded seven kills and finished the regular season in second place in the PSAC with 356 kills. Lucas fell two kills shy of tying Marauder assistant coach Erin Harman for tenth all time in single season program history.
• Caitlyn Callahan recorded a match high four blocks, as she finished the regular season leading the PSAC in solo blocks with 52. Her 52 solo blocks also represents the sixth highest total in single season program history.  
• Callahan finished second in the PSAC in total blocks with 129.
• Emma Ludwig recorded another 22 assists, as her 1,003 assists are good for third in the PSAC. She became just the eighth Marauder to record a 1,000 assist season.
• Emily Hoffman finished fourth in the conference in aces with 46.
• Callahan and Lucas finished second and third in the conference in points, earning 428.5 and 413 points, respectively.

 
REACTION FROM HEAD COACH BRIAN SMITH
On three close sets against the number one team in the PSAC East
"We have turned the corner with respect to our confidence in being able
to compete on any given day. As we grow and execute more consistently, we will finish better."
 
On the season as a whole
"Every year is different, this one was no exception. I've never had so many young players starting, but I really saw some great growth. The next several years looks very promising."
 
On having multiple players near the top of the PSAC leaderboards
"What Caitlyn, Emma and Lauren accomplished was very impressive for a group of first year players.  But that doesn't happen without Emily Hoffman and Becca Dalstad along with some younger defense talent passing well. Behind most great hits was a good pass."
 
 
NOTES
The Marauders finished the regular season with an 11-20 record, going 6-3 at home and 5-9 in PSAC East matches.