Mary Baldwin newcomer Josie Sheets continued to emerge as a team leader despite the volleyball team dropping a pair of matches vs. Shenandoah (3-0) and Hood (3-1) Friday on the first day of the Shenandoah Tournament in Winchester, Va.

The Fighting Squirrels opened the event with a 25-18, 25-10 and 25-23 setback vs. the host Hornets.  Sheets paced MBU with a .316 hitting percentage (six kills), 10 digs and five assists.  Sophomore Hanna Roach led the Fighting Squirrels with nine of the team's 28 kills in the match.  The Hornets, led by Jillian Warter's nine kills, took advantage of MBU's 10 service errors and no blocks in the match.

In the nightcap, the Fighting Squirrels won the first set vs. Hood, 25-23, but then dropped three straight by scores of 25-18, 25-23, 25-18 for a 3-1 team victory.  Sheets again posted a strong hitting percentage (.304) with team highs of eight kills, 13 assists, 2 service aces, two block assists and 10 digs.  Roach added six kills, an assist and a block while Sol Rios Rolon contributed across the board with four kills, two assists, four service aces and 13 digs. 

MBU was much stronger on defense against Hood, recording only six service errors, five solo blocks, six block assists and 69 digs compared to 42 digs against Shenandoah.

Mary Baldwin returns to Winchester Saturday for the second day of competition in the Shenandoah Tournament, facing Misericordia at 10:30 a.m. and Gallaudet at 12:30 p.m.