INSTITUTE, W. Va.— University of Charleston Women's Volleyball (24-10, 11-4 MEC) bows out of the Mountain East Conference Championship after falling to Fairmont State University (18-14, 8-6 MEC) in a heartbreaking five set battle. The Fighting Falcons took the first two sets of the game, but the Golden Eagles won the next two to force a fifth. In the end, Charleston came up short, losing the final set 15-13.
The Basics:
Location: Institute, W.Va.
Results: 3-2 FSU (25-19 FSU, 25-19 FSU, 25-22 UCWV, 25-22 UCWV, 15-13 FSU)
How it Happened:
The Golden Eagles started the game off on the wrong foot, losing sets one and two 25-19. In the first set, Charleston scored the first point on a Fairmont attack error, however, the teams went on to trade sideouts until the Fighting Falcons pulled ahead 3-2 on two kills and a UC error of their own. Charleston could not bounce back, as they trailed Fairmont throughout the entire frame.
Fairmont carried their momentum into the second set, but it was a closer battle at the start. FSU secured the first point, but UC tied it and jumped in front on two straight kills from Sophomore Reagan McLean and a kill by Freshman Riley Hoff. An Emma Shepherd service ace and kills by McLean, Hoff and Shepherd herself gave Charleston a brief 11-9 advantage. The Fighting Falcons would go on to even the score at eleven, which sparked another back-and-forth run by both teams. Fairmont came out on top though, giving them a 2-0 advantage going into the third frame.
With their backs up against a wall, Charleston battled and took the next set 25-22. The Golden Eagles found themselves trailing the Fighting Falcons 8-4 to start the third frame, but crawled their way back with McLean, Shepherd and Hoff kills to make it a one point set. UC ended up taking a five point lead on a six point service run by Shepherd, showcasing a service ace and three kills by Hoff and two kills by Pia Selke. Charleston secured the third set victory on another kill by Selke and a Fairmont attack error.
The Golden Eagles also took set four, winning it 25-23 to force a fifth set. Charleston snagged the first four points on a kill by Selke and a service ace and kill by Hoff. Like the other sets, Fairmont managed to put themselves back in the game, tying it at 17. Another tug-of-war would unfold until Charleston came out on top to make the score 3-2.
Despite their last stitch efforts, the Golden Eagles were unable to secure the victory in set five, as they lost 15-13. It was yet another close battle as the score was tied at 12, but Fairmont pulled ahead and sealed the deal on a kill.
Riley Hoff led the Golden Eagles offense and collected a career high of 22 kills, while Sage Bearnson led the defense with 20 digs, which was also a career high for the senior.
