Charleston, W.Va. — The University of Charleston men's volleyball team delivered a composed and dominant performance Saturday afternoon, sweeping Sacred Heart University 3–0 at the Wehrle Innovation Center to secure the weekend EIVA series.
THE BASICS:
Location: Charleston, W.Va. (Wehrle Innovation Center)
score: University of Charleston 3, Sacred Heart 0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-16)
Records: Charleston 8–6 (3–1 EIVA); Sacred Heart 6–5 (0–2 EIVA)
How it Happened:
Set 1 saw Sacred Heart strike first with a four-point run to build an early three-point advantage, but Charleston responded with its own four-point stretch to even the score at 10–10. Unlike the previous night's opener, when Sacred Heart edged out a close first set, Saturday's turning point came at 20–20. The Golden Eagles surged ahead on a three-point run highlighted by a timely kill from Braxton Francis and another from Max Nissen, who carried momentum over from Friday's match. Xander Bomert capped the set with a kill to seal a 25–23 Charleston win and swing momentum firmly to the home side.
Sacred Heart again reached double digits first in Set 2, taking an early 10-8 edge, but freshman Dimitris Manikas sparked Charleston with two service aces during a three-point run that pulled the Eagles within one. After trailing 13–16, Charleston caught fire, rattling off five unanswered points to regain the lead at 18–16. The remainder of the set featured extended rallies and traded points, with Pioneer errors keeping Charleston in control. Sacred Heart staved off one set point with a late kill, but Francis delivered the decisive play to close the set 25–22.
With confidence high, Charleston asserted control from the opening serve in Set 3. The Golden Eagles jumped out to a 4–0 lead and never looked back. Lucas Torres recorded two early kills to stretch the advantage to 10–4, and a combination of Pioneer errors, a three-point run, and a momentum-swinging block by Francis and Bomert pushed the margin to 20–13. From there, Charleston calmly traded points until Francis finished the match with back-to-back kills, assisted by Luke Atkinson, sealing the 25–16 final set.
Offensively
Charleston hit .293 as a team, led by Xander Bomert's 14 kills, with Lucas Torres adding 12 and Braxton Francis chipping in seven.
Defensively
The Golden Eagles totaled six team blocks and 39 digs, with Francis and Bomert combining on a key late block in the third set.
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Up Next:
Charleston remains home at the Wehrle Innovation Center to face Central State University on Tuesday, February 24, at 7:00 p.m.
