CLARION, Pa. – Shepherd University dropped a pair of matches at the Tony Banner Memorial Invitational at Clarion University on Friday. Host Clarion handed the Rams a 3-1 (15-25, 25-13, 14-25, 10-25) setback, while Slippery Rock edged the Rams, 3-2, in a later match.

Junior middle hitter Meg Kenny (Lynchburg, VA/E.C. Glass) had nine kills and five blocks, while sophomore right side Valerie Bour (Willoughby Hills, OH/Willoughby South) added seven kills and six digs to lead the Rams against Clarion.

Senior setter Sara Michael (Winchester, VA/James Wood/Hagerstown CC) posted 28 assists and nine digs and sophomore setter Taylor Belella (Smithsburg, MD/Smithsburg) contributed 10 digs.

Kenny and junior outside hitter Melani Lewis (Bay Shore, NY/Brentwood) each had 12 kills to pace the Rams against Slippery Rock. Senior outside hitter/libero Kasey Mercier (Baltimore, MD/Mount de Sales Academy) added nine kills and 25 digs, while Bellela had 19 digs. Michael contributed 41 assists, 15 digs, and four blocks.

Shepherd falls to 3-3 on the year. The Rams return to tournament action on Saturday when they face American International at 11 a.m. and Roberts Wesleyan at 5:30 p.m.

Clarion Box Score

Slippery Rock Box Score