Wheeling, W. Va. - Since the start of Mountain East Conference (MEC) play, the Wheeling University Volleyball team (9-6, 3-0) has been going strong. They take their momentum on the road as they head to South Euclid, Ohio to battle Notre Dame College at 7 PM. The Cardinals have been playing as a team since the start of conference play two weeks ago and will look to continue to play with that team mentality all season long.
Last time out, that team first attitude came to the forefront as the Cardinals came away with a sweep of Alderson Broaddus in the Alma Grace McDonough Center. It was a game where every active player on the Cardinals roster got on the floor and 11 different Cardinals registered kills in the game. In the first two sets, Wheeling won by scores of 25-7 and 25-13 as they took a 2-0 lead in the match. The third set was the most competitive of the night, with several Cardinals making contributions over the final 25 points. In the end, Wheeling took the set 25-17 and earned their second sweep of conference play.
While everyone made contributions on the night, the Cardinals top two attackers continued their success on the front line. Mady Winters led the team in kills for the second time in the last three games with 10 kills, and teammate Tylah Yeomans was right behind her with nine kills. They have led a Cardinals attack game that has totaled a .289 hitting percentage this season. Along with Lexi Smith and Riley Kindall, the Cardinals front line has been a force this season as they look to continue to lead the way.
Setting them up for success has been the team's setter Karly Niesen, who currently sits second in the MEC with 610 assists. She surpassed the 2,500-assist mark earlier this season and continues to be the picture of consistency for the Cardinals. Last season, Niesen led all of NCAA Division II with 11.57 assists per set and this year she is just under that mark with 11.09 assists per set. She has been passing the ball well all season long as the Cardinals look to continue their success on the court.
As we wrap up the second full week of MEC play, the Cardinals remain the only undefeated team in the MEC North Division and one of three unbeaten teams in the conference. However, with tough tests ahead including West Liberty, West Virginia State, and Charleston all coming in October, the Cardinals will have to keep their momentum going to stay on top. It will be a sprint towards the MEC Tournament and the Cardinals look to rack up as many wins as they can along the way.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Falcons are meeting for the 20th time in program history on Friday, with the Cardinals winning each of the first 19 meetings between the two teams. In their nine previous meetings on the road, the Cardinals have been involved in some battles with the Falcons but have been able to win every set they have played. Last season, the Cardinals went 2-0 against Notre Dame College, picking up a 3-0 win both at home and on the road.
In that last meeting, Mady Winters and Lexi Smith each had big games, picking up 12 and 11 kills respectively in the win. Karly Niesen added 40 assists while former Cardinals Audrey Francis and Jenna Franks led the defense with 17 and 12 digs, respectively.
The Details
Tip-off for Friday's MEC Volleyball action is scheduled for 7 PM at the Murphy Gymnasium on the campus of Notre Dame College. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats HERE.
