Women's Volleyball | 11/10/2011 3:38:00 PM

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Liberty University volleyball team's season came to an end Thursday afternoon when the Hilltoppers dropped a 3-0 decision to Shepherd in the first round of the West Virginia Conference Tournament at the Charleston Catholic Athletic Complex.
    The No. 5-seeded Rams (18-15) outlasted Coach Brooke Turner's West Liberty squad for a 25-23 win in the first game before closing out the match with 25-13 and 25-20 victories.
    Rachel Ziegler and Melissa Pierzchala each had 6 kills for the Hilltoppers while Anne Edwards added 5 kills and a pair of blocks.
    Chelsea Byrge had a strong performance for the Black and Gold with 5 kills while also posting team-highs of 9 assists and 9 digs. Jennifer Torrence added 8 digs and Pierzchala finished with 7 digs.
   
VOLLEYBALL
WVIAC Tournament
First Round
Shepherd 3, West Liberty 0
(25-23, 25-13, 25-20)
WEST LIBERTY (9-18)
    Rachel Ziegler 6-0-1; Melissa Pierzchala 6-0-0; Anne Edwards 5-0-2; Chelsea Byrge 5-0-0; Emily Mellie 4-1-0; Alexandra Kowalski 2-0-0; Michaela Hawkins 1-0-0; Nicole Sadecky 1-0-0. Totals 30-3-2.0
    Assists - Chelsea Byrge 9, Heather Tolson 7
    Digs - Chelsea Byrge 9, Jennifer Torrence 8, Melissa Pierzchala 7
SHEPHERD (18-15)
    Meg Kenny 13-2-0; Melani Lewis 10-0-1; Kasey Mercier 9-1-1; Lauren Jeschelnik 6-1-1; Lauren Gardner 4-0-0; Sara Michael 3-1-0; Lauren Wilkins 3-0-1; Kayla Motheral 2-0-2; Taylor Belella 0-1-0. Totals 10-6-4.0
    Assists - Lauren Jeschelnik 36
    Digs - Taylor Belella 13, Lauren Gardner 11, Kasey Mercier 11