Wheeling, W. Va. - After rallying back from behind in game one, the Wheeling University Volleyball team (6-4, 0-0) finished off day one of the Atlantic Region Tournament on a positive note when they defeated Bloomsburg University 3-0. They finished day one of the tournament winning their final six sets of the night, and getting momentum on their side as they prepare for day two tomorrow.
Wheeling took control of the game right from the get-go, jumping out to a 6-2 lead over the first eight points of the match. They were ahead by as much as 13-8 halfway through that first set, but suddenly Bloomsburg just kept chipping away at the lead. Wheeling got ahead by as much as 21-14, but Bloomsburg was showing they wouldn't go down without a fight. They rallied for five straight points to bring the score to 21-19, and make things interesting. However, Wheeling was able to hold off the Bloomsburg comeback and win the set 25-20. Wheeling's first half woes were behind them as they had a .282 hitting percentage in that first set.
With the match 1-0 in Wheeling's favor, the Cardinals were looking to put their foot on the pedal in the second set. They got the momentum on their side once again, scoring the first three points of the set, and scoring seven of the first 10 points to take a 7-3 lead in the early going. Bloomsburg found a way to battle back, however, and the score was tied halfway through the set at 10-10. The teams continued to battle in the set, and it was Bloomsburg that had a 21-16 advantage late looking to tie the match. That is when Wheeling would go on to score seven of the last eight points in the match and win the set 25-22 to take a 2-0 lead.
After getting their first sweep of the season last weekend, Wheeling was knocking on the door again of not only a sweep of the match, but a sweep of their games on day one of the Atlantic Region Crossover. Bloomsburg was the one with the hot hand in the early part of the third set, taking a 5-2 lead over the first seven points of the match. Wheeling would have to battle back, and did just that going on a 7-2 run that put them in the lead 9-7. The game continued to go back and forth, but once again Bloomsburg had the lead late in the set 19-16. However, it was Karly Niesen who would serve her team to victory as the Cardinals scored the final three points and won the set 25-23. It was their second sweep of the 2021 season, and helped them to two victories on the first day of the Atlantic Region Crossover.
Maddy Winters showed off her offensive ability, leading the way with 12 kills, while freshman Riley Kindall added 11 kills of her own to score double digit kills in both matches. Audrey Francis once again led the way with 27 digs while Kindall also got in on the defensive action with 17 digs of her own. Niesen set up her hitters well adding a team-high 41 assists in the effort.
The Wheeling University Volleyball team now prepares for day two of the Atlantic Region Crossover on Saturday. They will start the day against Slippery Rock, with tip-off at noon.
