The Lady Bears volleyball team opened conference play this past weekend, claiming their first CIAA win of the season over Lincoln, 3-1.  Overall, Shaw finished 1-5.  Shaw competed over the weekend with only six players for any match, and in Friday's matches, one of the six playing (Jeneva Carner) had a broken bone in her foot.

The Lady Bears opened the weekend's event by taking on defending CIAA volleyball champion Chowan, and losing in three straight sets.  Shaw did not reach double digits in any set, losing 25-7, 25-7 and 25-8.

In their second match on Friday, Shaw battled Elizabeth City State more evenly, losing 25-16, 25-16 and 25-10.  Shaye Walton and Shandrea Thomas each had five kills in the match.

Saturday, the Lady Bears gained a player, allowing the injured Carner to sit out.  Shaw fought evenly with Virginia State for the first two games of the match, losing 25-17 and 25-16.  In the third, depth may have been a factor - VSU had 12 players who saw action - as the Lady Bears wore down and lost 25-7.

Shaw had their closest match to that point in the weekend when they faced Virginia Union later on Saturday.  Behind Crystal Gordon's ten kills, the Lady Bears fought in every game of the match, but losing 25-16, 25-16 and 26-24.

Sunday, Gordon led the Lady Bears with 12 kills in a closely fought match with Bowie State.  Shaw fell 25-14, 25-23 and 25-19.

The Lady Bears finally found the win column on Sunday when they faced off against Lincoln (PA).  Behind Gordon's 17 kills and Cortnee Kelly's 18 assists, the Lady Bears won in four sets 25-10, 25-16, 18-25 and 25-23.  Kelly and Thomas had four service aces apiece in the match.

After the weekend's play, the Lady Bears stand at 2-12 on the season as they prepare to open CIAA divisional play.  On Wednesday, September 21, Shaw hosts Livingstone at 6:00 p.m. in C. C. Spaulding Gymnasium.