Charleston, W.Va. —The University of Charleston Golden Eagles put together a strong weekend at home, earning back-to-back sweeps inside the Wehrle Innovation Center. UC opened the two-match stretch Friday night with a 3–0 win over Point Park and carried that momentum into Saturday afternoon, defeating Salem in straight sets. The Golden Eagles were efficient on both sides of the ball across the weekend, improving to 16–9 overall and 8–1 in Mountain East Conference play.
Game 1
The Basics:
Location: Charleston, WV (Wehrle Innovation Center)
Score: 3–0 UC (25–22, 25–19, 25–18)
Records: Charleston 15–9 (8–1 MEC), Point Park 3–17 (2–6 MEC)
How it Happened:
Set one opened with both sides trading points early before Point Park edged ahead 10–8. Charleston found rhythm midway through the set, as Divine Muo and Patrycja Majos fueled a 6–2 run to give UC a 16–12 lead. The Falcons rallied to within two late, but a timely service ace from Abby Avila and a kill by Kate Strong sealed the 25–22 win.
In the second set, Charleston's offense came alive. Majos delivered a pair of early kills, and setter Abby Avila orchestrated a quick 4–0 spurt that put the Golden Eagles in front 11–7. Point Park kept things close with aggressive swings from Avery Budrys Rini, but UC's composure and defense at the net proved decisive. A block from Strong and Sophia Knowles clinched the 25–19 victory to extend the lead to 2–0.
Set three was all Charleston. The Golden Eagles hit .341 in the final frame, their most efficient set of the night, led by Majos and Muo combining for eight kills. Chloe Fortner anchored the back row with several key digs, while Giuliana Batista added a spark off the bench with a service ace and late kill. UC closed the set 25–18 to complete the sweep.
Charleston's performance showcased balance and poise, highlighted by strong setting, efficient attacking, and steady defensive execution in front of the home crowd.
Offensive Leaders
Patrycja Majos and Divine Muo each tallied nine kills to pace the Golden Eagles, followed by Kate Strong with six. Abby Avila distributed 27 assists and contributed two service aces, while Majos led the team with three aces of her own.
Defensive Leaders
Chloe Fortner anchored the defense with 22 digs, while Muo added 13. Strong and Knowles controlled the net with five combined blocks as Charleston limited Point Park to a .122 hitting percentage.
Game 2
The Basics:
Location: Charleston, WV (Wehrle Innovation Center)
Score: 3–0 UC (25–14, 25–21, 25–17)
Records: Charleston 16–9 (8–1 MEC), Salem 9–10 (0–0 Peach Belt)
How It Happened:
Charleston came out strong in the opening set, quickly establishing control with efficient attacking and strong serving. The Golden Eagles jumped to an early 10–4 lead behind kills from Patrycja Majos and Sophia Knowles, forcing Salem into a timeout. UC maintained that momentum the rest of the way, hitting .313 for the set and closing it out 25–14 on a service ace from Kate Strong.
The second set was more competitive, with both teams trading points early. Salem briefly led 11–10 before a quick Charleston run turned the tide. Abby Avila's setting distributed the ball effectively across multiple hitters, while Divine Muo and Giuliana Batista each delivered key kills to reclaim the lead. The Golden Eagles used late kills from Majos and Knowles to secure a 25–21 victory and move ahead 2–0 in the match.
In set three, Charleston's balance and consistency once again proved too much for the Tigers. Knowles and Batista led a 7–2 surge that gave UC a commanding lead, and Avila's combination of quick sets and defensive awareness kept the offense flowing. A late push from Madison Easton, who tallied three kills in limited action, helped the Golden Eagles close the set 25–17 and finish the sweep.
Charleston's all-around performance reflected confidence and cohesion, as the team hit .250 overall and tallied nine service aces and 14 total blocks in one of their most efficient matches of the season.
Offensive Leaders
Sophia Knowles, Giuliana Batista, and Patrycja Majos each recorded seven kills to lead the balanced UC offense. Abby Avila ran the offense with 25 assists and added one service ace, while Strong, Majos, and Madison Easton each contributed from the service line.
Defensive Leaders
Chloe Fortner anchored the back row with eight digs, while Batista added nine and Muo chipped in seven. At the net, Avila and Knowles combined for seven total blocks, and the Golden Eagles held Salem to a .049 hitting percentage.
Up Next:
Charleston volleyball looks ahead to an away match up vs West Virginia Wesleyan College! Game time is set for 7:00PM at the Rockefeller Center in Buckhannon, WV.
