Wheeling, W. Va. - Over the first four weeks of the season, the Wheeling University Volleyball team (6-6, 0-0) have been taking on some of the top teams across the country including four teams ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). It was all in preparation for the start of Mountain East Conference (MEC) play on Tuesday as they open their conference schedule against Fairmont State at 7 PM. The Cardinals begin another journey towards the MEC Tournament in 2022.

The last time out, the Cardinals wrapped up their early season non-conference action when they battled Tiffin inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center. It was the first meeting between the two teams since the 2017 and it offered a regional test for the Cardinals. They came out strong in the first set, earning a 25-21 win and followed it up with a 25-20 win in set two to take a 2-0 lead. However, Tiffin was able to stay alive in set three with a 25-22 win and the two teams headed to set four. It was a back and forth battle in the early portion of the set until a 15-5 run gave Wheeling a 15-5 lead. They went on to win the set 25-17 and won the match 3-1. It was a big regional win for the team and helped even their record to 6-6 on the year as they head to conference play.

It was a big day for junior Karly Niesen as she set a new career-high with seven kills and 13 Digs in the win. Of those seven kills, four came in the fourth set as she helped spark the team's 15-5 run. Her fourth kill of the day started the initial run and then reignited it with a kill at the halfway point. She also finished with 44 assists on the day as well and has 503 assists through the team's first 12 matches of the season. She is a key piece to the success of this team's offense and has set up her hitters for success. Tylah Yeomans added to that offensive success with a team-leadiny 13 kills and was the only Cardinal to finish the date with double digit kills.

On the defensive side, several Cardinals got in on the action as the back line continues to rally throughout the season. Sophomore Chylyn Pate got her first start as the team's libero this season and responded with a career-high 20 Digs on the day while also adding a kill. She was one of four Cardinals to have double digit Digs on the day and was followed by Niesen's 13 Digs effort. Riley Kindall added 12 digs of her own and Jordan West set a new season high with 11 Digs. The back line as a whole have done a nice job for Wheeling delivering a good ball for Niesen to be able to set up the hitters. They look to continue that good passing aa they move into MEC play.

As Wheeling heads into conference play, they five right into some of the top teams in the North Division. They open with Fairmont State tomorrow, who is out to a 14-1 start, and follows that up with a meeting against Frostburg State, who is out to a 11-4 record. It will test the Cardinals in conference play right from the get-go as they start their run towards another MEC Tournament Playoff Berth. After playing some tough ranked opponents in their first seven matches, Wheeling looks to use the lessons they learned in those matches to help them succeed against their conference rivals.

The Matchup