CHARLESTON, W. Va. - The much-anticipated MEC Championship took place on Saturday night inside of the Wehrle Innovation Center. The University of Charleston, the number one seed from the South, took on Wheeling, the number one seed from the North. The clash of the two regular-season champs lived up to the hype. Charleston came into the match facing a daunting task of trying to be the first program to defeat Wheeling in tournament history. Charleston defeated the Cardinals earlier in the season with a 3-1 win and were looking to continue this momentum. The Golden Eagles also looked to keep their undefeated streak alive at home this season. 
 
The Basics
Location: Charleston, W. Va (Wehrle Innovation Center0
Score: Charleston 1, Wheeling 3
Records:  UC (32-4, 15-1 MEC); WU (26-7, 15-1 MEC) 
 
How It Happened
The first set saw the Golden Eagles get out to a quick start and jump out to an 8-4 lead on a Cardinal attack error. The Cardinals were able to fight back to level it at 8. The Cardinals would take a 17-13 lead before the Golden Eagles knotted the match at 17. The Golden Eagles would finish off their 6-0 run with a Cardinal ball-handling error to give UC a 19-17 lead. The set would then once again become tied, this time at 20. A Pia Selke kill saw the Golden Eagles pay off their hot start and take the first set 25-23.
 
The second set saw the teams trade the first 14 points with amazing defense being played on both sides. Wheeling was then able to create some separation going on a 5-2 run to take a 12-9 lead. This time, the Golden Eagles were not able to answer with a run of their own, dropping the set 25-16.
 
The third set once again saw the teams trade points early with great defense being played, but this time it was the first 8 points before the Cardinals created their separation. The Golden Eagles would claw back after being down as many as five points to level the score at 15 on a kill from Reagan McLean. The set would stay tightly contested, but Charleston was never able to get a lead, dropping the set 25-20. 
 
The fourth set saw the Cardinals jump out to a 7-1 lead before a Golden Eagles timeout. UC would claw their way back, getting within two points of the Cardinals, but were never able to draw even. The Golden Eagles would not go down without a fight as a McKenzie Carpenter kill made the score 22-20, in favor of Wheeling. The Cardinals would take the fourth set 25-22, and the match 3-1.
 
Selke led the way totaling her second-highest number of kills on the season with 20. McKenzie Damon (15) and Sage Bearnson (13) also reached double-digit kills. Maria Hernandez once again had a stellar night, dishing out 56 assists. Erin Carmody led the way with 18 digs for UC. 
 
The Golden Eagles had two players named to the 2022 MEC Volleyball All-Tournament Team. Setter Maria Hernandez and Middle Blocker Pia Selke were both selected for their performances over the last three days. 
 
Up Next
UC will wait to see where they will play in Regionals after the selection show takes place tonight at 10:15PM.