Box Score Wheeling, W.Va.---The top-ranked Cardinals of Wheeling Jesuit (36-2) opened the 2012 Atlantic Region Tournament at home, the Alma Grace McDonough Center, against the eighth seeded Broncos of Fayetteville State University (28-6).
 
Jesuit floored the first two points, but the Broncos quickly evened the match at 2-2. The two teams traded points through the first eight serves when Jesuit made a 4-0 run. Ware initiated the outburst with back-to-back kills, Madison Strall followed with a block and a Bronco error gave the Cardinals an 8-4 advantage.
 
Jesuit continued to light up the scoreboard, establishing a 20-8, 12-point advantage before closing out the first set 25-10. During the initial frame, the Cardinals dished out six service aces, and Ware delivered the final blow.
 
The second set was similar as the Cardinals flew to a 5-1 start which quickly increased to 11-4, and Jesuit cruised to a 25-15 victory. Jenna Pew floored five kills to lead the offense in set two, and Ware matched her first set total of four kills.
 
In the final frame, the Broncos started off hot with a 5-0 run, establishing a 7-3 lead, but it wasn't long before Jesuit fired back. A 5-0 scoring outburst sparked by a Bronco service error and two-straight service aces by WJU's Abby Wietrzykowski put the Cardinals on top 8-7. Jesuit stepped on the throttle, claiming the next nine points and the final set 25-10.
 
Ware led the Cardinals with 12 kills, Pew and Rachel Caja followed with six apiece and Weitrzykowski added five. Rounding out the offensive attack were Angela McNulty (3), Alexa Brown (2), Rachel Gambow (1) and Madison Strall (1).
 
Strall kept the offense in motion with 18 assists, while Makenzie Ripley anchored the defense with 16 digs.
 
With the win, the Cardinals advanced to the semi-final round of the Atlantic Region Tournament, sharing the McDonough Center's court with Clarion University. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.