Box Score West Liberty, W.Va. – Wheeling Jesuit travelled the windy road up to West Liberty University on Tuesday night for a Mountain East Conference matchup against the Hilltoppers.
In the first set, Wheeling Jesuit came right out of the gate to a 5-1 lead. West Liberty could not get over the block and faced the scoring duo of sophomore outside hitter
Kayce Krucki and sophomore middle
Haley Kindall. Krucki had 6 kills in the set and finished the match with 15 kills, nine digs, one blocked shot, and two block assists. Meanwhile, Kindall finished the match with 11 kills, two digs, two blocked shots, and one block assist. The Cardinals led by as many as 13 points and won the set handedly 25-13.
In the second set, Wheeling Jesuit jumped out again to a 6-1 lead before West Liberty called timeout to stop the Cardinals' charge. West Liberty rallied with all their might to pull within five at 16-11 before three plays by freshman outside
Maddy Smyth turned the set for the Cardinals. Smyth had two kills and a successful dump as West Liberty overcommitted to stop the hard-swinging freshman. The Cardinals would not look back as Kindall finished off the Hilltoppers with three big kills and a block to win the set 25-14.
The third set started just like the other two, with Jesuit taking a 5-1 lead and West Liberty scrambling to call a timeout. Three times, senior defensive specialist
Makenzie Ripley would not let a West Liberty shot touch the floor in the third set. Ripley performed three rolling one-handed digs to keep West Liberty off the board and set Kindall and Krucki for big kills in the set. WJU unloaded the ranks getting valuable playing time for Smyth, sophomore setter
Julie Henderson, senior middle
Rachel Caja, and freshman setter
Abby Moffit. The Cardinals won the third set 25-9.
Jesuit's two specialists had big games once again. Sophomore setter
Andrea Thobe had 36 assists, one service ace, and 10 digs in the victory. Ripley had 22 digs and one service ace.
The win moves Jesuit's record to 15-1 and 4-0 in the Mountain East Conference. The Cardinals will be back in action when they return to the McDonough Center on Friday October 3
rd to host the Falcons of Fairmont State at 7pm. Then on Saturday, the Cardinals will host a tri-match against Shepherd University and Alderson Broaddus. Wheeling Jesuit will square off against Shepherd University at 1pm and then play Alderson Broaddus at 5pm.
