CHARLESTON, W.Va.– University of Charleston Women's Volleyball came out on top in a crucial conference matchup against West Virginia State University where they defeated the Yellow Jackets 3-1.
The Basics:
Location: Charleston, WV
Score: 3-1 (25-20 UCWV, 25-18 WVSU, 25-21 UCWV, 25-23 UCWV)
Records: UCWV (15-6, 5-1 MEC), WVSU (14-4, 5-1 MEC)
How it Happened:
UC started the game off strong with a service ace by Maria Hernandez, which was then followed by two West Virginia State attack errors. However, the Yellow Jackets pounded four straight kills to pull ahead 4-3. From there, WVSU had the upper hand in the match, but the Golden Eagles fought back to knot the score at 10 on State errors and kills by Pia Selke, Riley Hoff, Sage Bearnson and Emma Shepherd. Charleston broke it open on two three-point service runs by Selke and Suzan Agterberg with more kills by Shepherd and more attack errors by the Yellow Jackets. West Virginia State fought back, but were ultimately defeated 25-20 in the first frame of the day.
The Yellow Jackets jumped to an early 7-2 advantage in set two and did not let up. The Golden Eagles trailed the entire way and eventually dropped the set 25-18. Despite the tough loss, Charleston took control back in the third frame of the game. The set started off with the teams trading sideouts until Selke went on a four-point service run to give the Golden Eagles a 6-3 lead. The Yellow Jackets managed to catch up on kills, a service ace and a UC attack error to even the score at 7, but they could not find the momentum to pull out in front. With the score tied at 18, three successful serves by Shepherd, an offensive error by West Virginia State and kills by Hoff and Selke gave Charleston a 22-18. UC won the set 25-21 on a kill by Selke.
The Golden Eagles trailed the Yellow Jackets in set three until Charleston took a 19-16 lead on errors by State and a kill by Hoff. Once the Golden Eagles took the lead, they did not give it up. Charleston defeated the Yellow Jackets 25-23 for the four set victory.
Offensively, Shepherd, Selke and Hoff worked in tandem to lead the Golden Eagle, collecting 31 kills in total. Chloe Fortner and Reagan McLean led the defense, as Fortner had 19 digs and McLean had four blocks.
Up Next:
Women's Volleyball heads to Frostburg State University on Friday, October 13 for another conference matchup. The game starts at 7pm in Bobcat Arena.
