CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The University of Charleston men's volleyball team bounced back from a set-one setback to defeat Sacred Heart University 3–1 Friday night at the Wehrle Innovation Center. 
 
THE BASICS:
Location: Charleston, W.Va. (Wehrle Innovation Center)
score: University of Charleston 3, Sacred Heart 1 (24–26, 25–18, 25–21, 25–15)
Records: Charleston 7–6 (2–1 EIVA); Sacred Heart 6–4 (0–1 EIVA)

How it Happened:
Set 1 opened as a tightly contested battle, with Sacred Heart holding a slim early edge at 10–8. Charleston responded mid-set, briefly taking a 17–15 lead before the Pioneers answered with a three-point run to shift momentum and tie the score at 18–18. The set turned into a battle for game point, with Sacred Heart gaining the first opportunity at 24–23. Charleston extended play with a clutch point, but a Pioneer kill followed by a Charleston attack error sealed the opening set, 26–24.

The set-one loss ignited a noticeable change in intensity from the Golden Eagles. In Set 2, Charleston used an early five-point run to erase a deficit and take a 10–7 lead, then followed with a four-point surge to stretch the advantage to 14–8. The momentum stayed firmly with the Eagles as powerful kills, highlighted by Max Nissen's continued late-season surge, pushed Charleston ahead 20–15. With the cushion in place, the Golden Eagles closed the frame 25–18 to even the match at 1–1.

Set 3 proved to be another competitive rally-filled battle. Charleston reached 10–9 before Sacred Heart responded with a four-point run to jump ahead 13–10. The Golden Eagles stayed composed and worked their way back, tying the set at 17–17 behind steady ball distribution from Yotam Briger. Charleston then delivered a decisive late four-point run to pull ahead 21–18, using the separation to secure the set 25–21 and take a 2–1 lead.

With momentum fully in their favor, Charleston entered Set 4 in control. The Golden Eagles jumped out to an early 8–4 lead and continued to build energy on both ends of the court. Braxton Francis made several momentum-boosting plays to spread the scoring and maintain pressure. After a brief three-point run by Sacred Heart, Charleston responded immediately, highlighted by Briger attacking on second contact for a kill that extended the lead to 19–12. The Golden Eagles soon pushed the margin to 22–13, and despite several late service errors, reached match point at 24–15. A final kill from freshman Dimitris Manikas sealed the set 25–15 and secured the 3–1 victory.

Offensively
Charleston hit .320 as a team, led by Max Nissen's 15 kills, with Lucas Torres and Xander Bomert each adding 12.

Defensively
The Golden Eagles totaled 47 digs and four team blocks, with Yotam Briger directing the offense with 44 assists.
 
Up Next:
Charleston and Sacred Heart conclude the two-match series Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Wehrle Innovation Center.