Wheeling, W. Va. – After opening their Mountain East Conference (MEC) schedule on Friday, the Wheeling University Volleyball team (6-5, 1-1) began the MEC North Divisional schedule on Tuesday night against Fairmont State. Wheeling would end up falling in straight sets as they took their first conference loss of the season. It broke a three-match winning streak for the Cardinals as they look to regroup in their Friday night match-up.
Fairmont State had a strong attack throughout the night and it started right away in set one. They would pick up six of the first seven points in the opening set, with a kill by Aleithia Wilson being the lone tally on the Cardinal's side. A service error for Fairmont State would break the run, and an attack error got the Cardinals an extra point to make it a 6-3 score. Wheeling would stay within three points of the Falcons throughout the early portion of the Sset, but as the media timeout hit, Fairmont state would hold a 15-9 advantage. That lead would swell to 19-11 late in the set before the Cardinals made one final push at the lead. Katie Wilking would get things started with a solo block, and the Cardinals would score 10 of the next 12 points and forced a Fairmont state time out with the score sitting at 21-19. The Cardinal defense would play a big role during the Run, forcing six Fairmont state attack errors, and an Ava Green kill along the way. Would have Wheeling within striking distance. However, Fairmont State would knock down the final four points of the set to win 25- 19 to take the opening set.
After falling behind 1-0, Wheeling would look to battle back in set two And got out to a strong start. Camryn Matus would knock down the opening kill and the Cardinals would score three of the first four points in the set. However, a 7-2 run for Fairmont State would flip the scoreboard and give them an 11-6 lead after the first 17 points of the set. Autumn King would knock down a kill that started a 4-0 run for Wheeling and forced a Fairmont State timeout with the set score sitting at 11-10. Wheeling would end up not scoring again before the media time out, and Fairmont State continue to lead 17-12 late in the set. Wilking and Green each knockdown kills to keep the Cardinals within three points of the Falcons at 17-14. but by the end of the set, Fairmont State spread their wings. Bella DeBarr would knock down two kills to round out the scoring for the Cardinals, and Fairmont State would end the set scoring the final four points of the set to pick up the 25-16 set two win.
Wheeling was now trailing 2-0 in the match, and the Cardinals would fight to stay alive in the third set. The Cardinals would once again knock down the opening point of the set on a Matus kill, but the Falcons put together their best showing of the night. They would hit .536 as a team In the third set, and would go on a 9-2 run following the first point from Wheeling. Matus would be the only source of offense for the Cardinals early in the set, knocking down three kills on their first four points as Fairmont State took a 10-4 lead. The sophomore would end up having four kills in the final set, while DeBarr added two and King added the final Cardinal kill in the third set. Wheeling would not get out of single digits in the final set as Fairmont State built an 18-4 lead before bringing up match point at 24-7. King's kill would keep Wheeling alive for an extra point, but Fairmont State went on to win 25-8, earning themselves the 3-0 sweep of the Cardinals.
Leading the way for Wheeling was Camryn Matus, who finished with seven kills on 25 total attacks in the effort. Katie Wilking and Bella DeBarr finished right behind her with four kills each, while DeBarr was wheeling's most efficient hitter with a .250 hitting percentage on the night. Faith Keifer continue to lead the Cardinal passing game with 14 assists, while finishing second on the team with six digs. Leading the back line effort for the Cardinals was Mara McDougal, who finished with 18 digs on the night. The loss evened Wheeling's MEC record at 1-1 as they continue their first trip through their North divisional opponents.
The Wheeling University Volleyball team returns to action on Friday, September 25, When they host Point Park with first serve at 7 PM.
