RICHMOND, IND. (Volleyball) – The Shawnee State volleyball team dropped a pair of matches in the opening day of the IU East Red Wolves Tournament.

Shawnee State opened the tournament falling in three sets to Mount Vernon Nazarene College by scores of 25-16, 25-15, 25-16. The Bears struggled at the net especially in the second set, compiling a negative hitting percentage. Lauren Helbig (SR/Mansfield, Ohio) had a strong performance at the net, compiling 13 kills with only three errors for a .303 attack percentage. She also had a team-high three blocks to go with six digs. Deanna Smith (JR/Riverview, MI) had 23 assists in the match with six digs and three kills. Brianna Wiget (JR/Piketon, Ohio) added seven kills and seven digs for the Bears.

The Bears went on to face a familar team in MSC foe The University of the Cumberlands in their second match. Shawnee State lost in three sets, 25-14, 25-21, 25-15 in a non-conference contest.

Helbig led the Bears with six kills. Smith registered 18 assists in the match. Rhyanna Day (SR/Beaver, Ohio) and Brianna Wiget added 11 and 10 digs for the Bears.