WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University women's volleyball team split a pair of matches here Friday on the opening day of the MEC/PSAC Crossover Tournament at the ASRC.
    Coach Kayla Fetsko's Hilltoppers (8-2) were swept by Shippensburg in their first match but bounced back later in the afternoon with a 3-1 romp past Pitt-Johnstown (4-4).
    In the tournament opener, the Red Raiders followed up a 25-22 win in the opening set with a dominating 25-14 victory in the second set to take a commanding 2-0 lead. Shippensburg then held off a late Hilltopper surge in the third set to close out the match with a 25-23 decision.
    Olivia Baumhoer was the only WLU player to reach double-digit kills with 10 winners. Raimey Benson and Caitlin Clarke added 8 and 7 kills, respectively. Amanda Leonard posted a double-double in a losing cause with 22 assists and 19 digs while Kailee Cunningham and Mackenzie Sims finished with 16 and 15 digs, respectively.
    The Hilltoppers (8-2) quickly got back on track with their four-set win against UPJ. After splitting the first two sets, West Liberty took control with a 25-22 win in the third set and kept right on rolling. The Black and Gold used a 6-0 burst to open up a 14-6 lead in the fourth set and coasted to a 25-21 win.
    Benson, Clarke and Madison Clayton paced the attack with 11 kills each while Leonard impressed with another double-double, charting team highs of 22 assists and 19 digs. Leonard and Cunningham led all players with 3 service aces while Abbi Gillson paced the squad with 5 blocks.
    The West Liberty women return to the ASRC on Saturday for two more matches. They will take on Clarion (Pa.) at 10 a.m. with a 4 p.m. match against Slippery Rock to follow.