CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Golden Eagles won the first round of the MEC tournament on Thursday afternoon, after defeating the Urbana Blue Knights 3-2 in a close match.

Just the Basics

SCORE- Charleston 3, West Liberty 2


Match Leaders
UC 
- Carly Granger had 16 kills for the Golden Eagles
- Kelsey Matusic had 19 digs for Charleston
- Jour'Ney Powell had 1 block, and 6 block assists for UC


How It Happened
The first set of play in the Mountain East Conference Women's Volleyball tournament ended in the favor of UC, as the Golden Eagles defeated the Blue Knights 25-16. Charleston started off gaining points quickly, scoring seven points before Urbana got their first. UC's All-MEC First Team select Carly Granger had four kills in the first set, while junior Janeese VerVelde had a block and a block assist.
 
The second set of the day was driven by the Blue Knights, as they overtook the Golden Eagles 23-25, to tie the match at 1-1. UC kept the set close, however, fighting to stay with Urbana. 
 
Charleston found their groove again in set three, as they pushed past UU 25-21. Granger nailed six kills against the Urbana defense to lift UC past the Blue Knights. On the defensive side, junior Jour'Ney Powell had a block and a block assist for Charleston.
 
The Blue Knights gained momentum heading into the fourth set of the day, challenging the Golden Eagles, before taking the set 20-25, tying the game at 2-2, and forcing the match into a fifth and final set.
 
Tensions rose in the final set, as both teams raced to be the first to 15 points. The Golden Eagles dug deep, to beat the Blue Knights, and continue on in the MEC Tournament. Charleston's Janeese VerVelde stepped up, helping the Golden Eagles with three kills and a block assist, ending the set 15-13, and the match 3-2.


UP NEXT
The Golden Eagles will be up against the winner of Notre Dame College and Shepherd University, and will play at 5:00 p.m., on Friday, November 9^th, at Wheeling Jesuit University.