Penn State Behrend Box Score
Case Western Reserve Box Score

MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny women's volleyball team was unable to come away with a win on the first day of the 2012 Gator Invitational, dropping two matches to non-conference competition.  After falling to Penn-State Behrend, 3-2, in the first match of the evening, Allegheny dropped a 3-0 decision to Case Western Reserve.

Against the Lions (5-3), the Gators (2-8) fell in the first two sets before taking a set in the third.  Allegheny, led by freshman middle hitter Baylie Sheppard, won the third set, 25-14, to avoid the sweep.  However, the Gators' luck would run out in the fourth, when the Lions sealed the deal with a 25-17 decision.

Sheppard finished with a team-high nine kills, as sophomore defensive specialist Alyssa Babbitt led the team with 14 digs.  Sheppard also contributed on the defensive end, recording 13 digs.  Freshman middle hitter Sarah Swartz recorded two solo blocks, collecting two block assists.  Sophomore middle hitter Alli Unger, selected to the all-tournament team at last week's Washington & Jefferson tournament, finished the first match with four kills and four digs.

Against the Spartans (9-1), who were playing fresh off their first loss of the season, the Gators fell behind early, dropping the first set 25-7.  The Gators fared better in the final two sets, but were unable to stop a Spartan offense that recorded 40 kills on 90 swings for a .322 hitting percentage.

Freshman setter Jessica Napierata led the team with 16 assists, adding four digs on the offensive end.  Sheppard scored a team-high six kills, with Swartz recording five kills and one block assist.

The Gators will take the court Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. for a match against Thiel before finishing the tournament with a 2 p.m. match against Frostburg St.  Live stats and live streaming will be available for the final two games of the Gator Invitational.