Wheeling, W. Va. - After playing two of their last three games on the road, the Wheeling University Volleyball team (12-4, 3-0) returns to the Alma Grace McDonough Center on Friday to host Notre Dame College at 7 PM. Wheeling has taken care of their business in their first three Mountain East Conference (MEC) games of the season and is hoping for similar results against the Falcons.
Last time out, the Cardinals battled Alderson Broaddus University in a game that they would win 3-0 by scores of 25-16, 25-12, and 25-18. For the second straight game, the Cardinals did not allow more than 20 points in any of the three sets as the hitters had a big day. They had a hitting percentage of .286 or better in each of the three sets, with their best effort coming in set three against the Battlers, where they had a hitting percentage of .426. As a team, Wheeling's hitters have been one of the most successful in the entire MEC, sitting second with a team hitting percentage of .256.
Leading the way in the effort was freshman Riley Kindall, who had 12 kills on 26 total attacks and finished second on the team with a .346 hitting percentage. Kindall has been a consistent force for the Cardinals all season long, recording double-digit kills in nine of her 15 matches played this season. Wheeling's other offensive leader was senior Kayla Bekier, who just recently made her return to the Cardinals starting lineup. Bekier recorded 11 kills on 26 total attacks in the game for a hitting percentage of .306.
However, a hitter is only as good as their setter, and the Cardinals have a very good one in sophomore Karly Niesen. Niesen picked up 38 assists against the Battlers and leads the conference in both total assists (664) and assists per set (11.25). The reigning MEC Defensive Player of the Week Audrey Francis led the defensive effort in the game with 17 digs, while Niesen and Kindall provided solid backup with 11 digs each in the effort.
The MEC Nort Division has been a little crowded at the top during the first week of conference play, with three teams all being within a game of the top spot. Wheeling currently holds that spot with their 3-0 conference record, but right on their heels are Fairmont State and Notre Dame College, each sitting at 2-1. All three teams have at least 11 wins on the season and are in for a fight the rest of the way to see who takes home the conference championship.
The Match-up
In 17 meetings between the Cardinals and Falcons, Wheeling has yet to lose a match and is looking to extend its streak on Friday. Wheeling was able to sweep last season's series and is looking to get off to a good start once again here in 2021. Their last match-up came in South Euclid, Ohio, on February 26th, 2021, in a game that Wheeling was able to win 3-0.
Four different Wheeling hitters had double-digit kills in that game, with Lexi Reinert and Lexi Smith leading the way with 11 kills each. Bekier and Kaitlin Trace-Lindemer each added ten kills in the winning effort, while Francis dug out 27 balls to lead the defense in what would be the team's seventh win of the Spring 2021 season.
The Details
Tip-off for Friday night's game is scheduled for 7 PM at the Alma Grace McDonough Center. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
