Charleston, W. Va.- Charleston defeats Fayetteville State University and UNC Pembroke in straight sets to conclude the UC Invitational. The Golden Eagles picked up three wins this weekend to improve to 5-2 on the season.

The Basics:

Location: Charleston, WV

Score: Game One–3 UC, 0 FSU; Game Two–3 UC, 0 UNCP

Records: UC 5-2, FSU 2-6, UNCP 2-1

How it Happened:

In game one, Charleston cruised to a three set victory over Fayetteville Broncos, winning set one 25-12, set two 25-19 and set three 25-13. In set one, Charleston jumped to an early 5-2 lead against Fayetteville State on a Maria Hernandez service run and kills by Pia Selke, Reagan McLean and Patrycja Majos. The Broncos would cut the lead in half on kills of their own, but the Golden Eagles held their ground throughout the entire game. UC defeated FSU 25-12 in the first set.

The second set of the day was a closer match up, but after knotting it up at seven, the Golden Eagles pulled ahead on Bronco errors and kills from Majos and Selke. Charleston won set two 25-19. UC won the final set of the game after the Golden Eagles jumped to an early 5-0 lead on a service ace by Hernandez and kills by Selke and FSU attack errors. Bearnson put Charleston ahead 15-5 on a five point service run where she also collected a service ace. UC concluded the matchup against Fayetteville State with a 25-13 victory. 

Charleston also won in straight sets in the final game of the tournament against UNC Pembroke. In the first set, Hernandez started UC off strong, as she served the first five possessions, which gave them a quick 5-0 advantage over the Braves. The Golden Eagles won it 25-14 on UNCP errors and kills by Selke, Majos, Hernandez, McLean, Sage Bearnson and Emma Shepherd. 

In set two and three, Charleston defeated UNC Pembroke 25-18 and 25-14. Shepherd was on fire, as she had five straight possessions and two service aces in both sets with kills from herself, Selke, Majos and Kate Strong.

Offensively, Selke led the Golden Eagles this weekend with 43 kills, 3.07 kills per set, a .387 hitting percentage and 3.96 points per set. She remains the most efficient attacker in the Mountain East Conference in week two. Selke is the only player in the MEC in the top 10 in four statistical categories (Hitting Percentage, Kills, Aces and Points Per Set). 2022 MEC Freshmen of the Year and Blocks Per Set leader Reagan McLean led the UC defense to a 3-1 record at the 2023 UC Invitational.  She recorded at least two blocks in each match, highlighted by a six block performance against reigning Atlantic Region Champion Gannon and another six block performance in only three sets of play in a sweep of Fayetteville State.

Up Next:

The Golden Eagles will hit the road on September 12 for a 6pm game against Lees-McRae College.