CHARLESTON, W.Va. – After a conference win against the West Liberty Hilltoppers, the Golden Eagles move to a record-breaking 21-3 overall season.
The Basics
Location: West Liberty, W.Va (ASRC)
Score: Charleston 3, West Liberty 1
Records: UC (21-3, 8-1 MEC); WLU (15-9, 5-4 MEC)
How It Happened
The Golden Eagles made the trek up to West Liberty for a Friday night matchup, coming into the match against the West Liberty Hilltoppers at 7-1 in conference play, and a tie in the MEC South Division. West Liberty is in third place in the MEC North Division as the Hilltoppers came into the match with a 5-3 record in conference, and a 15-8 record overall.
In the first set, Charleston fell behind 7-4 in the set before clawing back to level the score at 7. They would not look back from this point on as they would go on a run and jump out to an 18-12 lead. The Golden Eagles would go on to win the set 25-15 on a ball-handling error by the Hilltoppers.
The second set was very similar to the first set, as the Hilltoppers would jump out to a 6-2 lead before the Golden Eagles evened the score at 6. This is the last time the score would be tied in the set as the Hilltoppers went on a run, jumping out to a 20-13 lead. West Liberty would go on to take the set 25-19.
The third set followed the same script as the first two, as the Hilltoppers would jump out to the early 5-2 lead. Once again, the Golden Eagles would even the score back at 5. West Liberty took a 24-19 lead before UC, with their backs against the wall, would answer and tie the score at 24.
The extra points period was short-lived as a kill from
Pia Selke tied the score at 25, then a block by
McKenzie Damon and
Reagan McLean would give Charleston the 26-25 lead. After a Hilltopper timeout, a service ace by
Sage Bearnson would give the third set to the Golden Eagles with a score of 27-25.
The Golden Eagles quickly came out of the gates in set four as UC jumped out to an 8-4 led. Charleston would go on to win the set 25-20 on a service error by the Hilltoppers.
Selke (16) and
Bearnson (13) led the Golden Eagles offensives in kills, as
Maria Hernandez added 40 assists. In the digs statistical category, UC was led by
Damon (19) and
Erin Carmody (16).
Up Next
UC will welcome West Virginia Wesleyan to the Innovation Center on Tuesday at 7PM. West Virginia Wesleyan comes into the match at 6-17 on the season and 2-8 in conference play.
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