Salem, W. Va- The brooms were pulled out of the closet once more as the Wheeling University Volleyball team (11-7), (3-1) swept the Salem Tigers, marking the third consecutive sweep. The key to victory for the Cardinals in this outing came from adopting a balanced approach in the attack game, playing incredibly on defense, and limiting their errors.

Wheeling showed their aggressiveness early, starting the first set on a 12-2 run with Mady Winters smacking three kills down. Salem began to build a little momentum but never got to within 10 points of the Cardinals. The Tiger's final point of the set came in between a 6-1 Wheeling run sparked by swings from Olivia Batch and Bella DeBarr to take set one 25-9.

The second set proved to be more competitive than the previous. After surrendering the first four points to the Tigers, the Cardinals were helped out by a few attack errors from Salem and kills from Samantha Comer and DeBarr to go up 6-5. Following the Wheeling comeback was a back-and-forth battle, as neither team trailed by more than two points. However, two attack errors on Salem caused Katie Wilking to rally her team with three kills to spark a 9-3 run to end the second set 25-17.

Multiple bad sets and attack errors on Salem started the third set, and the Tigers found themselves down 9-6. Wilking and Batch helped with the three-point differential, putting up two kills each. A kill from Salem's Makenna Long was all Wheeling needed to go on a 7-1 run to pull further away. With the help of Batch and Comer, the Cardinals recorded another two kills in their totals. Two aces late in the set by Comer put the Cardinals in prime position to end the match. Wheeling was eager to end it all, but their swings were not landing in play. In the process, Salem was awarded three points for the attack errors. DeBarr ended the madness and spiked one past Valentina Poti to complete the sweep at 25-14.

Olivia Batch led the Cardinals in kills with nine and hit 50%. Samantha Comer recorded eight kills on 12 attacks to hit for 67%. Comer finished with 10.5 points to spearhead the Cardinals to victory. Comer and Faith Keifer registered two aces each in the win. Karley Niesen notched 34 assists, and Bella DeBarr put up a team-high 12 digs.

Wheeling University Volleyball returns to the Alma Grace McDonough Center to take on the West Liberty Hilltoppers at 7 PM.