Box Score Wheeling, W.Va.  – On Saturday night in the McDonough Center, the #10 Wheeling Jesuit University Volleyball team defeated Fairmont State in the Mountain East Conference Volleyball Final in three straight sets. 
 
In the first set, Wheeling Jesuit jumped out to a 15-4 lead forcing Fairmont State to take two timeouts to stave off the onslaught.  Jesuit out hit the Falcons .370 to -.026 in the first stanza to win 25-10.
 
The second set saw much of the same as Fairmont State failed to get its bearings.  Jesuit improved its hitting percentage in the second set to .382.   Wheeling Jesuit eventually won the second set as well, 25-14. 
 
Fairmont State proved why it belonged in the Championship final in the third set as they matched Wheeling Jesuit to ties at 11-11 and 12-12, before eventually breaking at the 15-point mark of the set.  The Cardinals won the third set to win the match and their second Mountain East Conference Tournament Championship in two years.   
 
Sophomore outside Kayce Krucki led the Cardinals with 15 kills, while hitting .483.  Sophomore middle Emma Schleucher had 10 kills, hitting .400, while adding 3 service aces and four blocks.
 
Senior defensive specialist Makenzie Ripley saved her best game of the tournament for last as she posted 20 digs.  Sophomore setter Andrea Thobe kept the Cardinals offense in phase all game long by logging 32 assists.
 
"It was a great tournament hosted by the Mountain East Conference.  We had great fan support and our kids played well.  We are looking forward to participating in the NCAA Division II National Tournament for the fourth year in a row,"  stated Head Coach Christy Benner.
 
Tonight's Championship Final wraps up the Mountain East Conference play for the Cardinals.  Jesuit now waits for the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional seeding.  The selection show will air on NCAA.com at 10pm tomorrow night.