WHEELING, W.Va. – For the third in as many seasons, No. 10 Wheeling Jesuit started its Mountain East Conference volleyball season and coasted to a sweep of Urbana University, 3-0, Tuesday night in the McDonough Center.

Watch the replay of the full match from CardinalCast!

 
In each of the three sets, the Cardinals pull away from the Blue Knights midway through the set for the 25-13, 25-14, 25-16 victory.
 
"It was great to have the chance to play at home tonight for the first time this season and record a victory in the MEC opener," said WJU head coach Christy Benner.
 
Emma Schleucher paced the home attack with a team-high eight kills, four service aces and three digs. Setter Andrea Thobe posted a solid night as well with 26 assists, eight digs, five total blocks and an ace.
 
The Cardinals remain at home for the WJU Invitational Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18-19. WJU will host Slippery Rock at 2 p.m. and Kutztown in a 4:30 p.m. match in the Friday action.
 
No. 10 WJU 3, Urbana 0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-16)
In the sets…
In the opening set, Urbana came out strong and held a 10-9 advantage. Wheeling Jesuit took over control from that point as it went on a 13-2 run with Schleucher serving 11-straight points including three aces over those serves.
 
Ahead 9-8, the Cardinals produced an 11-2 spurt and opened a 20-10 lead. Jessica Thobe eventually killed the final point on a set by her sister, Andrea Thobe, in a 25-14 score.
 
Kayce Krucki served the third set's opening seven points and WJU started the set ahead, 6-0. WJU never looked back from the start as Urbana could not pull closer than seven points in the match (25-16).
 
By the numbers…
For the Cardinals
•Schleucher – 8 kills, 4 aces, 3 digs
•Krucki – 5 kills, 7 digs, 2 BA, 2 aces
•A. Thobe – 26 assts, 8 digs, ace, 5 TB
•Lauran Graves – 3 kills, 7 TB
•Abby Moffit – 7 digs
•Maddy Smyth – 4 kills, 4 digs, 3 BA
 
For the Blue Knights…
•Katlynn Dunlap – 8 kills, 8 digs, 2 BA