INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- The No. 19 Wheeling University volleyball team dropped the first set, but swept the next three to defeat West Virginia State in the MEC Tournament Semifinals.

The Cardinals, the seven-time MEC Tournament defending champions, improved to 10-2. West Virginia State finished the spring season with a record of 10-2. 

Wheeling advances to the MEC Tournament Championship to take on Fairmont State at 6 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, March 13 inside the Walker Convocation Center. The Falcons swept past Davis & Elkins, 3-0, in the other semifinal match.

Wheeling got a big match from junior Kayla Bekier (Northwood, Ohio/Lake) who hit home a season-high 22 kills on the night on a .308 hitting percentage. Junior Lexi Smith (Portsmouth, Ohio/Notre Dame) was also efficient hitting .344 with 15 kills. Freshman setter Karly Niesen (Cincinnati, Ohio/Roger Bacon) helped the Cards hit .243 in the match with 56 assists. 

Wheeling had a 94-71 advantage on digs on the night, led by 31 from senior libero Audrey Francis (Sidney, Ohio/Fairlawn). Junior Jenna Franks (Dover, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley) added 17 and Raegan Rosi (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) had 14.

After losing the first set 25-21, Wheeling edged WVSU 25-23 in both sets two and three, and closed the match with 25-14 win in the fourth set.

Jenna Dufresne had 15 kills to lead the Yellow Jackets. J'Lana Stone had 13 kills. Gabrielle Bullock contributed 11 kills. Peri Martin dished out 46 assists. 

Fairmont State and Wheeling, which split their two matches this year and shared the North Division title, will meet in the finals on Saturday night at 6 p.m. at the Walker Convocation Center on the campus of West Virginia State