INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The University of Charleston would make the short trek to West Virginia State on Tuesday night with the top spot in the South Division on the line. Both teams came into the matchup undefeated in conference play, with single-digit losses on the season. UC would ultimately fall to the Yellow Jackets in five sets.
The Basics
Location: Institute, W.Va. (Walker Convocation Center)
Score: Charleston 2, West Virginia State 3
Records: UC (17-3; 4-1 MEC), WVSU (18-1; 5-0 MEC)
How It Happened
In the opening set, the Golden Eagles trailed the Yellow Jackets 10-9, but West Virginia State would go on a 10 to 4 run to take the lead 20-13. WVSU would then take the first set 25-16 on a kill. Unfortunately, the second set would be more of the same for UC, as the Yellow Jackets would take a 10-7 lead before going on a 7 to 4 run. This would give West Virginia State enough of a lead to take the set 25-23.
Looking back at the second set, Charleston was able to claw their way back into the set and get themselves some momentum heading into the third set. This momentum would be huge for UC as they would knot the score up at 16 before going on a 5 to 1 run to take a 21-17 lead. The Golden Eagles would go on to win the set 25-23 on a Yellow Jacket attack error.
The fourth set, much like the second and third would be tightly contested, with the score being 21-21 late in the set. This set would go into extra points before the Golden Eagles would take the set 27-25 on a block by Pia Selke and Reagan McLean. The match would go to a fifth and deciding set, but the Golden Eagles were not able to keep the momentum going, dropping the set 15-12.
UC was led offensively by Selke who had 23 kills. Maria Hernandez dished out 52 assists to lead the team, and defensively UC was led by Erin Carmody with 28 digs.
Up Next
The University of Charleston will take on Alderson Broadus on Friday, Oct. 7th. The Golden Eagles are now in second place for the South Division and will look to regain their momentum on the road with a 7PM match start time.
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