Indianapolis, IN. - The Wheeling University Volleyball team (3-3, 0-0) picked up their first sweep of the year when they defeated Bemidji State on Friday 3-0. After falling in the first game of the day, Wheeling was able to bounce back and get some momentum on their side heading into day two of the University of Indianapolis Invitational.

The Cardinals were able to win the first set of the year for the first time this season, and once they were ahead they never looked back. After the team's traded the first 18 points of the set, it was Wheeling who would find the first opening of the afternoon. They went on an 8-3 run to take an 18-12 lead and would go on to win that first set 25-20. Wheeling was out killed 11-14 in the set, but they were able to take advantage of Beaver's mistakes to puck to the win.

With the set one win, Wheeling was ahead 1-0 for the first time this season and would use that momentum to their advantage. Their offense took that momentum and rolled with it, knocking down 17 kills on 35 total attacks, for a match-best hitting percentage of .429. It was a highly competitive set, being tied 13-13 midway through the set. Then, Wheeling went on an 8-2 run to make it 20-15. Wheeling would go on to close out the set with a 25-20 win to take a 2-0 match lead with a chance to end the game right there.

They did just that earning a hard-fought set three win 25-23 to finish off the first Cardinals sweep of the 2021 season. Wheeling outkilled Bemidji State 17-12 in the final set and had a hitting percentage of .239. It was a close set throughout, with Bemidji state getting as close as 24-23, but a service error gave Wheeling the win and their first sweep of the 2021 season.

It was an all-around offensive attack for the Cardinals with seven different players getting at least one kill in the game. Freshman Riley Kindall (Westerville, OH./Westerville Central) continued her strong day, leading the way with 11 kills in the game. Karly Niesen (Cincinnati, OH./Roger Bacon) led the way with 40 assists and Audrey Francis (Sidney, OH./Fairlawn) led the defense with 31 digs on the day.

Wheeling will now have to wait to see how the rest of the tournament plays out to find out who their next opponent will be. They will play two more tomorrow, so stay tuned to WUCardinals.com for all the details.