Box Score Wheeling, WVa. – In the second semi-final game of the Mountain East Conference Tournament, #1 Wheeling Jesuit University faced the #5 West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats on Friday night. 
 
West Virginia Wesleyan played great defense in the first set, employing a successful block at the net.  But after an 18-18 tie, sophomore middle Emma Schleucher took control of the serve and the Cardinals went on a four point tear.  Then kills by sophomore middle Haley Kindall and sophomore outside Kayce Krucki, and a dump by sophomore setter Andrea Thobe, finished off the Bobcats 25-19.  Wheeling Jesuit hit .263 in the first set as junior Jessica Thobe led the Cardinals with four kills.
 
The Cardinals came out of the gate in the second set taking a 10-4 lead, immediately putting the Bobcats on their heels.   The Bobcats battled back to pull within one point 15-14.  Hard-hitting senior defensive specialist Corrine Early had two big kills, an impressive dig, and a kill from the middle of the defensive zone to pull the Cardinals back in front 22-15.  Wheeling Jesuit was just too much to handle for the Bobcats as the set ended 25-16 on a service ace by senior defensive specialist Makenzie Ripley.
 
Momentum was on the side of the Cardinals in the third set as the home team won going away 25-13.  Kindall and Krucki led the Cardinals with 11 kills apiece.  Andrea Thobe had 39 assists, while Jessica Thobe had 11 digs and Ripley had one service ace and added 10 digs in the win.
 
The victory pits Wheeling Jesuit against Fairmont State in the Mountain East Conference Tournament Championship tomorrow night at 7:30 pm in the McDonough Center.