SHIPPENSBURG, PA- The Chowan University volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision on Saturday afternoon against the Shippensburg Raiders. 
 
Karina Monroe led the Hawks with 12 kills and two blocks in the loss.  Nikira Fults and Monica Ruffin each collected seven kills for Chowan.  Ruffin also collected 15 digs in the contest.
 
Shippensburg got a quick 8-2 lead in the first set.  The Hawks were able to take advantage of some attack errors from the Raiders and two key kills to tie the set 8-8.  Shippensburg regained the momentum after two consecutive attack errors from the Hawks allowed them to take a 10-8 lead.  The Raiders led for the remainder of the set to earn the 25-16 win. 
 
Chowan had four straight errors in the second set to allow Shippensburg to jump ahead 4-0.  The Raiders never trailed in the second set and cruised to a 25-12 victory. 
 
The third set was a different story for the Hawks. Chowan capitalized on three Raiders' errors combined with kills from Brianna Smith, Allison Smith, and Nikira Fults to gain a 7-1 advantage.  The Hawks maintained control throughout the remainder of the third set to earn a hard fought 25-22 win. 
 
The Hawks were unable to keep the momentum heading into the fourth set as the Raiders were able to get an early lead.  Chowan trailed the entire fourth set, dropping the 25-18 decision.
 
Chowan stands at 13-6 overall on the 2012 season and Shippensburg moves to 17-7.  The Hawks head to Richmond on October 15^th to take on the Virginia Union University Panthers.  Match time is set for 6:00pm.