The Lady Bears lost to Livingstone 3-0 Wednesday night in a match played at C. C. Spaulding Gymnasium.  Despite the sweep, the Lady Bears kept most of the games close, losing 25-16, 25-17 and 25-17.

In the first set, the Blue Bears jumped on top early, leading by as much as 21-11 , but the Lady Bears fought back on a string of service points by Shandrea Thomas, cutting the lead to seven and putting themselves back in the game for a short time.

In the second set, the Lady Bears tied the game at 13-all on a service ace by Thomas, but then allowed Livingstone to run off five straight points before scoring again on an ace by Michelle Oliver.  Shaw pulled back within two at 19-17, but the Blue Bears ran off six straight points to close out the set.

The Lady Bears held a slight lead very early in the third, but LC's LaPria Saunders reeled off five straight service points to give the Blue Bears a 7-4 lead.  Thomas' serving game again got the Lady Bears turned around and they tied the match at seven.

Livingstone then ran off seven straight points, and while Shaw pulled within one at 15-14, they never got the critical points to give them the lead. 

Crystal Gordon had eight kills to lead the Lady Bears, while Cortnee Kelly had nine assists.  Thomas had two service aces and eight digs to lead the team.

For Livingstone, Phylicia Egbuna had 13 kills and four service aces.  Saunders and Natalia Felix had 13 and 12 assists, respectively.

The Lady Bears next host Winston-Salem on Monday, September 26 at 6:00 p.m. in C. C. Spaulding Gymnasium.  The game is free and open to the public.

Photos:  (left)  Cortnee Kelly has one of her nine assists and (right) Crystal Gordon goes up for the kill in Wednesday's matches.