WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Catholic University volleyball team concluded its time at the Worthington Classic on Saturday, splitting a pair of matches. Junior setter Sydney Sheppard was named to the all-tournament team for her performances in the four matches over the two days.

Marymount (Va.) 3, Catholic 1 (25-20, 25-18, 18-25, 25-16)

Catholic started the first set strong, opening up leads of 10-7 and 12-9 before the Saints rattled off five straight points to take the lead, 17-14. The Cardinals battled and cut the lead to one multiple times, but at 22-20, Marymount secured the final three points to take the set.

After dropping a poor second set in which Catholic registered more errors than kills, Heather Stout's side bounced back in set three.

Back-to-back kills from Brittany Connatser, both assisted by Sheppard, and an Olivia Blondin service ace got the Cardinals out to the perfect start to the stanza. Connatser had seven kills, contributing to Catholic's .238 hitting percentage in the set. The Cardinals smashed 17 kills as a team to just seven errors, and took set three, 25-18.

Catholic could not complete the rally, dropping the fourth set. The Saints went on an early 5-0 run to jump out to a 6-2 lead, and after Catholic rattled off four straight points to knot the set at    6-6, the Cardinals could not string together more than two points in a row.

Connatser registered 11 kills and Blondin claimed 10, hitting .400 for the match. Sheppard provided a team-high 25 assists and Kelsey Miller pitched in eight. Freshman Izzy Steinberg led the way with nine digs. 

Catholic 3, Washington College 0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-12)

The Cardinals were dominant in their second match of the day, sweeping Washington College.

Catholic was lethal from the service line, producing a staggering 16 service aces. Miller registered three in a row as part of an early mini-run to push the Cardinals out to a 6-4 lead in the opening set. She then added two more in a later 5-0 run that would help secure the first set.

The Shorewomen battled in the second set. They held the lead at 16-14 before another clutch    5-0 run gave Catholic the momentum and eventually the set. Two Brynne Burgess aces fueled the run.

Catholic cruised to victory in the third set, and in fitting fashing, Burgess' third and fourth aces of the match were the final two match-clinching points. Isabel Gonzalez-Alvarez added four aces as well.

Blondin led the way with eight digs as Steinberg produced seven. Sheppard provided 10 assists while Miller and Alycia Powers registered six apiece.

Catholic handed Washington College just its fourth loss of the season, as the Shorewomen entered the contest 8-3.

The Cardinals will now enjoy a week off before Landmark Conference play commences. Catholic will begin by hosting Drew and Susquehanna on Oct. 1. Opening service against Drew will take place at 11 a.m., while the match against the River Hawks is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.