Wheeling, W. Va- The Wheeling University Volleyball team (21-9), (11-2) brought out the brooms for the third time as they brushed the non-conference Lake Erie College Storm to the wayside. The Cardinal's seniors played a significant role in drowning out the Storm, accounting for 39 points, 43 digs, 41 assists, two blocks, and eight block assists collectively.
The Storm entered the Alma Grace McDonough Center unfazed and kept pace with the Cardinals to start set one. They took a brief 4-3 lead caused by Wheeling attack error, but Lake Erie surrendered two faulty swings of their own, allowing Katie Wilking and Karly Niesen to put a couple of kills on the board. Lake Erie battled back to keep the deficit within reach as both teams traded runs of a few points. The Storm's Jasmine Heyward put two of three kills that tied things up at 14, but another kill from Niesen sent the Cardinals soaring on a set-clinching 11-2 run. Riley Kindell knocked down four kills in the onslaught as Wheeling claimed the first set 25-16.
Wheeling got the wheels burning early to start the second set. They ran off with a 7-2 run that saw Samantha Comer and Aly Finch, along with a Melia Gorrell service ace, get on the board. Kindell continued showing off when she added two kills to extend the Cardinal lead to 11-5. However, Lake Erie College rallied with the help of Wheeling's four attack errors and two kills from Allison Kirch to make it 15-13. Wilking added some separation with three successful attacks, and Shelby James and Mady Winters added one each. A bad set by the Storm propelled the Cards to make it a set point, with Aly Finch knocking down the last point for a 25-17 set two win.
Once more, Wheeling started hot, registering the first five points of set three. Lake Erie answered back with a 5-1 run to trail by one. The Storm had opportunities to gain points but could not connect on four straight attempts, extending the 7-0 Cardinal run. Lake Erie's Kirch put the team on her back and made up ground on the scoreboard, knocking down four kills for a 15-12 Cardinal lead. Three service errors and two aces by Niessen and Gorrell pushed Wheeling to a 21-14 advantage. The Storm's Gabrielle Jones sparked three straight points, with two coming off her hand, to prove they were not done yet. Unfortunately for them, Lake Erie surrendered a 4-1 run as Kindell put the nail in the coffin for a 25-18 match win.
On her Senior Day, Riley Kindell led the Cards with 14 kills, while fellow senior Chylyn Pate led the floor with 20 digs. With 39 assists against Point Park and Lake Erie College, Karly Niesen is now two assists away from the program record of 5,920 assists. Faith Keifer, Melia Gorrell, and Niesen recorded two service aces, and Bella DeBarr was put down for one ace. Mady Winters finished with six kills and four block assists. Aly Finch capped off Senior Day with five kills and a dig. Sophomore Katie Wilking showed up to knock down 10 of 16 for a .563 hitting percentage.
The Wheeling Cardinals Women's Volleyball team will play their final home game of the regular season when they host the Salem Tigers on Tuesday, November 12th, at 7 p.m.
