Box Score WHEELING, W.Va.---The No. 19 nationally ranked Wheeling Jesuit volleyball team defeated the No. 24 ranked NAIA Pioneers of Point Park University 3-2 on the road Tuesday evening by scores of 14-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-14 and 15-7. With the win, WJU improved to 30-2 overall.
 
In addition, the Cardinals received a No. 2 ranking in the second NCAA Atlantic Region Poll which was released on Wednesday afternoon.
 
The upset-minded Pioneers flew to a 1-0 set advantage with a convincing 25-14 win in Pittsburgh, Pa. Jesuit bounced back with a 26-24 win to equalize the match at 1-1, but Point Park reclaimed the match lead in the third set with a 25-22 victory.
 
Down 2-1 and facing their third loss of the season, WJU answered the challenge. In the fourth set, Jesuit set the tone early and cruised to a 25-14 victory and carried the momentum into the fifth and final frame for a 15-7 win.
 
Freshman Madison Strall turned in her first collegiate triple-double performance against the Pioneers by collecting a team-best 26 assists and adding 12 digs and 10 kills. Allissa Ware led the WJU's offense with 16 kills and 11 digs, while Jenna Pew also recorded a double-double with 25 assists and 15 kills. Rachel Caja supported the offense with seven kills and tallied a team-high five blocks on defense, while Ashley Remlinger and Abby Wietrzykowski chipped in six kills apiece.
 
The Cardinals are currently 23-1in the Atlantic Region, however remain behind, California University of Pa. who claimed the region's top honors with a 22-4 regional performance. On Oct. 2, the Vulcans defeated the Cardinals 3-1, handing them their only regional loss.
 
Rounding out the region's Top 10 were: Gannon University (23-3), Clarion University (22-6), Lock Haven University (22-5), Shippensburg University (22-8), Mercyhurst College (21-7), Indiana University of Pa. (17-13), Alderson-Broaddus College (15-10) and Seton Hill University (16-7).
 
The NCAA regional rankings help determine the eight institutions represented in the NCAA Division II National Tournament. However, the tournament champions from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA), the PSAC and the WVIAC each earn automatic qualifying bids, leaving five slots open for the national tournament. The five remaining positions will be filled by the final Atlantic Region rankings as at-large qualifiers.
 
With one week remaining in regular season play, the NCAA will release two additional regional rankings on Wednesday, Nov. 14 followed by the final ranking on Sunday, Nov. 18.
 
Wheeling Jesuit will wrap-up regular season play on Saturday, Nov. 10, traveling to Bluefield State College and Concord University. The Cardinals will play Bluefield at 11 a.m. and Concord at 4 p.m.