By Kendrick Jackson, Advertising Manager
Our Lady Toppers begin post-season play today against the No. 3 seed, Shepherd University. After trading wins in the regular-season, both teams will look to secure a victory tonight to keep their hopes alive in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Championship race.
West Liberty took the first matchup of the season against the Lady Rams of Shepherd University. However, the Lady Rams came onto the hilltop for a second matchup, and ran away with the win.
Shepherd finished this season 23-6, second in the MEC conference, only behind to No. 1 seed and defending MEC Champions, Wheeling Jesuit. The Lady Rams are coming into tonight’s game on fire as they ended the regular-season on a six-game winning streak.
Sophomore outside hitter, Peyton Lindblad, of Shepherd University has been a bright spot for the team this season. She is in the top five for kills this season for the Lady Rams, and Lindblad added nine kills in the victory over West Liberty.
Lindblad also won MEC Player of the Week for her performances against Urbana and Norte Dame (Ohio). During that week, Lindblad recorded 31 kills and eight blocks. Lindblad also helped the Lady Rams achieve 20 wins for the season.
No. 6 seed West Liberty completed the season 18-13, finishing in the middle of the pack of the MEC conference. Our Lady Toppers posted impressive wins against Shepherd and the No. 2 seed team, Charleston.
2016 First-Team All-MEC middle blocker, Sydney Scherer, has continued her dominant play into this season. During West Liberty’s matchup against the Lady Fighting Falcons of Fairmont State, Scherer posted her 500 block of her career here on the hilltop.
Scherer is once again leading the team in blocks this season at 119, with an average of 1.07 blocks per set. Scherer is also a force to be reckon with on the offensive end. Scherer is top three on the team in kills at 180.
West Liberty and Shepherd will travel to Wheeling, as the Lady Cardinals of Wheeling Jesuit will host the three-day tournament. Tip-off is at noon, with live coverage at hilltoppersports.com.
Photo credit: Hilltoppersports.com
