Frankfort, Ky. – The University of Charleston women's volleyball team secured a convincing 3–1 win over Kentucky State on Tuesday night in Frankfort, Ky. The Golden Eagles controlled the match with dominant stretches of scoring runs and a balanced offensive attack. After claiming the first two sets, UC regrouped in the fourth to close out the victory in emphatic fashion. The result gives Charleston its seventh win of the season and builds momentum heading deeper into the fall schedule.

The Basics:
Location: Frankfort, KY (Bell Gymnasium)
Score: 3-1 UC (25-13, 25-14, 23-25, 25-9)
Records: UC 7-6 (0-0 MEC), Kentucky St. 1-8 (0-0 SIAC)
 
How it Happened:
The University of Charleston women's volleyball team came away with a 3–1 victory over Kentucky State University on Tuesday night inside Bell Gymnasium in Frankfort, Ky. The Golden Eagles claimed the match by set scores of 25–13, 25–14, 23–25, and 25–9, earning their seventh win of the season.

Charleston wasted no time in set one, jumping out to a 5–0 lead that immediately put the Thorobreds on the defensive. The Golden Eagles continued to build momentum with multiple three-point surges that made it difficult for KSU to cut into the gap. With the set winding down, Avila Abby delivered a kill off a Julie Michalkova assist to bring up set point, and a strong block from Kalista Milne and Sophia Knowles sealed the opener, 25–12.

The second set started more evenly, as the team's traded points in the early stages. After a kill from KSU's Randi Neal narrowed the margin to 7–5, Charleston caught fire and rattled off five straight points to push the score to 12–5. The Thorobreds tried to fight back, but the Golden Eagles' composure and precision kept them firmly in control. A 6–0 run extended the lead to 22–11, and back-to-back kills from Kate Strong and Anna Saldana closed out the set, 25–14.

Kentucky State refused to go quietly in the third. After a 2–2 start, the Thorobreds surged ahead with a 5–0 run and later stretched their lead to 16–8 with a mix of kills and an ace. Charleston answered with a 7–0 run of their own to cut the deficit to just one at 19–18, but KSU steadied itself down the stretch and held on for a 25–23 win, forcing a fourth set.

In the final frame, Charleston came out determined to finish strong. The Golden Eagles grabbed an early 3–0 lead before KSU's Destiny Rodgers brought the Thorobreds back within two at 8–6. From there, UC slammed the door shut, unleashing a 14–0 run that turned the set into a showcase. Knowles capped the run with back-to-back aces, and Charleston closed the match in dominant fashion with a 25–9 victory. The Golden Eagles' fast start, timely runs, and ability to regroup after dropping the third set proved to be the difference in a night that highlighted both resilience and dominance.

Offensive Leaders: Kalista Milne paced the Golden Eagles' attack with 10 kills, followed closely by Kate Strong with 9 and Sophia Knowles with 8. Knowles also made an impact at the service line with a team-high 4 aces, while Julie Michalkova and Madison Easton each added 2. Setting up the offense, Abby Avila dished out 19 assists, with London Upchurch contributing 10 and Chloe Burton adding 4.

Defensive Leaders: On the defensive side, Catalina Albores anchored the back row with a team-best 9 digs. Chloe Fortner chipped in 7 digs, while Giuliana Batista added 5. At the net, Milne, Knowles, and Easton each recorded 2 blocks.
 
Up Next:
Charleston will stay home Friday night Sep 26^th to face off against West Liberty University in the Wehrle Innovation Center!