Women's Volleyball | 9/2/2011 8:53:00 PM

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The West Liberty University women's volleyball team opened its season with a pair of tough setbacks on Friday in the FalconFest Tournament at Fairmont State University.

    Point Park (Pa.) handed the Hilltoppers a straight-set loss by scores of 25-23, 25-11 and 25-22 in West Liberty's first match of the day. West Virginia Wesleyan swept the Black and Gold by scores of 25-21, 27-25 and 25-16 in an evening match.

    In the opener, Anne Edwards led WLU with 7 kills while Mo Pierzchala added 5 kills and 10 digs. Chelsea Byrge had 15 assists while Haylee Strause added a team-high 12 digs.

    In the second match, Pierzchala, Michaela Hawkins, Emily Mellie and Rachel Ziegler all had 6 kills for West Liberty. Byrge and Heather Tolson tied for the team lead with 11 assists each while Pierzchala collected 23 digs.

    The Hilltoppers close out the FalconFest event on Saturday with matches against Felician and Mercyhurst.

VOLLEYBALL

Point Park 3, West Liberty 0

(25-23, 25-11, 25-22)

POINT PARK (1-0)

    Lindsey Oberacker 15-1-2; Chelsea Katkich 10-0-2; Ashley Campbell 9-0-1; Brittany Lhota 5-3-3; Nicole Wurstle 3-0-8; Alyssa Hall 0-1-0; Tayler Pugliese 0-0-3; Amanda Ardinger 0-1-0; Totals 42-6-12.0.

    Assists – Tayler Pugliese 41.

    Digs – Alyssa Hall 20; Margaret Gillooly 9

WEST LIBERTY (0-1)

    Anne Edwards 7-0-0; Melissa Pierzchala 5-0-0; Emily Mellie 4-0-2; April Salyer 3-0-0; Michaela Hawkins 2-1-1; Rachel Ziegler 1-0-0; Chelsea Byrge 1-0-1; Gabbie Davis 0-0-3; Alexandra Kowalski 0-1-2; Totals 23-2-6.0.

    Assists – Chelsea Byrge 15.

    Digs – Haylee Strause 12; Melissa Pierzchala 10

W.Va. Wesleyan 3, West Liberty 0

(25-21, 27-25, 25-16)

WEST LIBERTY (0-2)

    Michaela Hawkins 6-2-1; Emily Mellie 6-0-0; Melissa Pierzchala 6-1-1; Rachel Ziegler 6-0-0; Anne Edwards 3-0-2; Alexandra Kowalski 2-0-1; Haylee Strause 0-1-0; Jennifer Torrence 0-1-0; Totals 29-5-2.5.

    Assists – Chelsea Byrge 11; Heather Tolson 11.

    Digs – Melissa Pierzchala 23; Haylee Strause 11

W.VA. WESLEYAN (2-0)

    Korin Wengryn 9-0-0; Jessica Pattyn 9-3-1; Paula Renteria 8-0-1; Rachel Clemons 7-0-2; Ashley Ziegle 4-1-0; Casey Pattyn 2-0-0; Camblin Leonard 2-0-0; Renata Comparini 0-1-0; Totals 41-5-4.0.

    Assists – Casey Pattyn 34.

    Digs – Renata Comparini 27; Courtney Rose 13