The Buhl Club was rocking Tuesday night as the Penn State Shenango Women's Volleyball team went toe-to-toe with Lorain County Community College in a back-and-forth battle full of grit, defense, and high energy on both sides of the court. Despite a strong showing, the Lions came up just short, falling in five sets (25-22, 20-25, 25-20, 23-25, 13-15).

From the first serve, it was clear this match would be a defensive showcase. Both teams dug deep—literally—with long rallies, clutch saves, and momentum swings that kept the crowd on edge. Shenango set the tone early by taking the first set 25-22 behind sharp attacks and scrappy defense.

Sophomore standout Savana Shipman powered the offense with 16 kills and 18 digs, while Sydney Ward put up an efficient 14 kills, hitting .367 on the night. Izzy Mauro was nearly unstoppable at the net, finishing with 16 kills on a blazing .448 hitting percentage.

The Lions also showed toughness in the back row. Jillian Palumbo anchored the defense with 18 digs, and Shipman was equally relentless, covering the court to keep plays alive. Setter Jadeyn Zepeda dished out 48 assists, keeping Shenango's attack balanced and unpredictable, while also adding two service aces.

After trading the first four sets, the deciding frame came down to the wire. Shenango clawed back from an early deficit, closing the gap to within two at 13-11, but Lorain managed to hold on in the final moments to secure the match.

The Penn State Shenango squad may not have left with the win, but they certainly left an impression with their fight, resilience, and crowd-fueled energy.

Up Next:

The Lions have a busy stretch ahead as they look to bounce back:

• Today, Sept. 18 – at Penn State DuBois – 7:00 PM

• Saturday, Sept. 20 – at Penn State Fayette – 11:00 AM

• Monday, Sept. 22 – at Carlow – 7:30 PM

• Wednesday, Sept. 24 – vs. Penn State Beaver – 7:00 PM – Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night at the Buhl Club