ELKINS, W. Va. - The University of Charleston Women's Volleyball team dropped their fifth game Tuesday night to the Senators from Davis & Elkins in four sets, losing 3-1. After dropping the first two sets, the Golden Eagles stormed back to win the third, before dropping the fourth. Charleston was led by Rachel Phalen with 11 kills. 

JUST THE BASICS:

SCORE: Charleston: 1 Davis & Elkins: 3

LOCATION: Elkins, W. Va – McDonnell Center 

TEAM RECORDS: Charleston (1-4, 1-4 MEC) Davis & Elkins (4-1, 4-1 MEC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Golden Eagles got off to a strong start, playing very even back-and-forth volleyball with the Senators through the first half of the opening set, with Davis & Elkins taking an advantage late. The set ended in the Senators favor, with a score of 25-22.

In the first set, the Senators played well below their season average as a team having a hitting percentage of (.200%) while the Golden Eagles hit .242%. Charleston led the advantage in errors, as they had only four to Davis & Elkins six.

The second set saw the Senators take an early lead, converting on the ten attacking errors the Golden Eagles had. Charleston was able to pull closer late in the set, but Davis & Elkins continued to push the lead as they went on a 5-0 run. The Senators were able to close out the set 25-20.

Set three went back-and-forth, with neither team being able to take an early lead and hold it. After two service errors kills from Davis & Elkins, Charleston was able to take a lead late. The Senators were simply outplayed in the third set, with the Golden Eagles having 15 total kills and were able to convert on two service errors. Charleston was able to hold onto the late lead and take the set 25-16.

Despite a hard-fought fourth set, Davis & Elkins jumped out to a quick lead and they never looked back. The Senators were able to take the fourth set 25-9. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:

Macie Magallon led the way for the Highlanders with 17 kills and a .275 hitting percentage, while Mya Mintschenko ended with a hitting percentage of .545 on 11 attempts. Phalen led the way for the Golden Eagles as she was able to record 11 kills. Rachel Phalen had 16 assists in the game along with a hitting percentage of .667. 

UP NEXT:

Charleston will return to action next Thursday night for a double header, taking on the Mountain Lions from Concord University with match time set for 5:00 PM and 7:00PM, at the Wehrle Innovation Center.