OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Stevenson women's volleyball team honored its six seniors on Saturday afternoon before battling back from a two-set deficit to take the third set against Lebanon Valley, ultimately falling 3–1 in non-conference action. The Mustangs showed resilience throughout the contest, earning a 25–20 third-set victory and pushing the fourth set beyond the standard 25-point mark before Lebanon Valley secured the match by scores of 25–19, 25–15, 20–25 and 28–26.
Set 1:
Lebanon Valley opened the match with an early 4–0 advantage before Stevenson looked to settle in offensively.
Emma Shaffer recorded the Mustangs' first kill, while
Declyn Tooze added a service ace to help Stevenson get on the board.
Emily McElwaine and
Rachel Lenz contributed kills as the Mustangs continued to work through the early deficit.
Lebanon Valley extended its lead to 21–7, but Stevenson responded with a late push. Tooze delivered a service ace and kills from
Maren Zepfel, Lenz and Shaffer helped the Mustangs put together a run. Stevenson continued to battle, scoring 12 of the next 18 points to close the gap before Lebanon Valley took the opening set, 25–19.
Set 2:
The Mustangs looked to even the match in the second set, with Lenz providing an early kill. Shaffer and
Lillianna Hornickle contributed at the net, while Lenz continued to find opportunities offensively. Stevenson worked to stay within reach, with additional kills from Lenz and Shaffer helping the Mustangs keep pace.
Lebanon Valley gradually built its advantage, using a strong offensive effort to take control of the set. Lenz added multiple kills down the stretch, while Shaffer contributed another point for Stevenson. The Mustangs continued to fight, but Lebanon Valley closed out the set, 25–15, to take a 2–0 match lead.
Set 3:
Facing a two-set deficit, Stevenson responded with its strongest start of the afternoon, opening the third set with a 4–0 run. Shaffer and Zepfel recorded early kills, while the Mustangs capitalized on Lebanon Valley errors to build momentum. Lenz and Shaffer continued to contribute offensively as Stevenson maintained its advantage.
The Mustangs continued to apply pressure at the net, with kills from Zepfel, Lenz and
Sydney Salazar helping Stevenson maintain control. Hornickle and McElwaine added to the defensive effort with blocks, while Shaffer continued to find success offensively.
Lebanon Valley worked to close the gap, but Stevenson answered with timely points. Lenz delivered back-to-back service aces to help the Mustangs create separation late in the set, pushing the advantage to 23–19. Hornickle followed with a kill before Shaffer delivered the set-winning point, giving Stevenson a 25–20 victory and cutting the match deficit to 2–1.
Set 4:
Looking to force a deciding fifth set, Stevenson carried its momentum into the fourth, opening with a 2–0 lead behind a kill from Lenz and a Lebanon Valley attack error. Shaffer and Zepfel added kills as the Mustangs built an early 5–1 advantage.
Isabella Terra contributed a service ace, while Lenz added another kill to help Stevenson maintain its lead.
Lebanon Valley responded with a run to even the score at 12–12 before the teams continued trading points. Stevenson found an answer through McElwaine and Zepfel, while Lenz and Shaffer helped the Mustangs regain momentum. A pair of kills from Zepfel and Lenz helped Stevenson take an 18–18 tie and turn it into a 21–18 advantage.
The Mustangs continued to push toward a fifth set, with Zepfel and Lenz recording additional kills to keep Stevenson in front. Lebanon Valley responded late, tying the score at 23–23 before the teams traded points in an extended finish. Shaffer delivered a kill to even the set at 26–26, but Lebanon Valley found the final two points to take the set, 28–26, and secure the 3–1 victory.
Lenz led the Mustangs offensively with 18 kills, adding 17 digs, two solo blocks and a team-high 22 points. Shaffer contributed 14 kills and 10 digs while hitting .257, while Zepfel added nine kills and hit .250. Tooze paced the offense with 33 assists and added five digs, while Terra recorded nine digs and a service ace. Eichelberger also contributed 10 digs, and Hornickle finished with three block assists. Stevenson totaled 49 kills, 65 digs, six service aces and nine total blocks.
The Mustangs will now turn their attention to postseason play, returning home on Thursday, November 12, to host the No. 3 Messiah Falcons in the MAC Commonwealth Semifinals. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. inside Owings Mills Gymnasium as Stevenson looks to continue its championship pursuit.
