ERIE, Pa – Opposite Hitter Julia Shepherd has received NEC Second Team All-Conference honors in her first season as a Laker. She was a key contributor to helping Mercyhurst clinch their first NEC playoff appearance in the program's history.
 
Having transferred from UC Santa Barbara, Shepherd came in the year with high expectations to be a key contributor for the Lakers. In her first year at Mercyhurst, Shepherd recorded 265 kills on a .276 hitting percentage, 72 blocks, 65 digs and contributed 309 points. She also won NEC Prime Performer of the week twice this season, while making the all-tournament team from the invitational at Youngstown State. Shepherd is ranked top 10 in the NEC in three categories; hitting percentage, kills and points.
 
Shepherd's best weekend this season came Oct. 17-18 when the Lakers faced-off against the New Haven Chargers. Shepherd tallied a season-high 18 kills in the first game, and 16 kills in the second game, giving her 34 kills total on the weekend. 

Shepherd and the Lakers make thier NEC Tournament debut Friday night at LIU with first serve set for 7:00 p.m.