Pensacola, FL. - The Wheeling University Volleyball team (0-1) fought hard on Thursday, but it wasn't enough as they fell to the University of West Florida 3-0. After a slow start early on, Wheeling gave West Florida all they could handle in the final set, forcing a win-by-two scenario, but it wasn't enough to force a fourth set.

In the first set, The University of West Florida jumped out to an early lead and held onto it the rest of the way taking the set 25-18. Wheeling was getting their attack opportunities early, but also had their share of mishaps coming through with eight kills and eight errors as a team. The Argonauts took advantage throughout the set with 14 kills and just three errors in the first set.

As the game moved to the second set, West Florida just kept attacking and had their best set of the day. Their hitting percentage was an even better 70% and Wheeling countered with a 48% hitting percentage, recording eight kills to go along with seven errors. The result was almost identical to the first set as Wheeling fell 25-17, and went into a do or die situation in the third set of the day.

This was when Wheeling really started to get going, giving The University of West Florida all they could handle. It was back and forth for most of the set, and the two teams would be deadlocked at 24-24. They fought to the very end of the set, but it was the Agranauts who scored the final two points and walked away with the 26-24 set win and the 3-0 victory. The third set was Wheeling's best showing of the day as they combined for 14 kills and just four errors, for a hitting percentage of 68%. However, The University of West Florida was once again just better than Wheeling, with a 72% hitting percentage and it was enough to push them over the top.

Senior Kayla Bekier (Northwood, OH./Lake HS) led the offensive attack with nine kills on 24 total attacks for a .208 hitting percentage. Senior Lexi Reinert (Cincinnati, OH./ Ursuline Academy) added six kills while Lexi Smith (Portsmouth, OH./Notre Dame) and Karly Niesen (Cincinnati, OH./Roger Bacon) each added four kills in the effort. Niesen also added 24 assists on the day as she did a nice job of setting up Wheeling's hitters for success.

On the defensive side of the ball, senior Audrey Francis (Sidney, OH./Fairlawn) picked up right where she left off in the spring leading the way with 11 digs. Karlee Lois (Union Grove, WI./Union Grove) and Niesen added six and five digs respectively. Freshman Maddy Winters (New Martinsville, WV./Magnolia HS) recorded the only block on the day for Wheeling.

The Wheeling University Volleyball team continues at the West Florida Invitational tomorrow when they play a doubleheader. They start the day against the University of Southern Indiana at 12:30 pm, followed by a game against Palm Beach Atlantic at 5:30 pm