WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University volleyball team powered its way to a 3-0 sweep of Notre Dame (Ohio) here Friday on "Dig Pink Night" at the ASRC.
    Coach Kayla Mull's Hilltoppers (10-10, 2-3) opened the match with an 11-2 run and never looked back in breezing past the Falcons (14-7, 2-2), coached by former WLU assistant Travis Hinkle.
    Building off that fast start, West Liberty cruised to a 25-14 win in the first set and took complete control with a 25-15 romp in the second set. Notre Dame regrouped and led for much of the third set but couldn't hold off the Hilltoppers. The hosts stormed back from a 21-18 deficit by scoring seven of the last eight points to win going away, 25-22.
    Senior right-side hitter Olivia Baumhoer celebrated her birthday with a match-high 10 kills, hammering home the game-winner to complete the third set comeback and hitting .333 on the night. Fellow senior Mackenzie Sims also had a strong outing with 8 kills, 15 digs and 4 service aces while junior Madison Clayton added 7 kills and a pair of blocks.
    Freshman Kirsten Bogunovich led all players with a match-high 31 assists to go along with 8 digs while senior Kailee Cunningham led the Black and Gold with 16 digs while also contributing 4 service aces. The Hilltoppers finished with a season-high 11 aces.
    West Liberty observed "Dig Pink Night" as part of The Side-Out Foundation's nationwide initiative in the fight against breast cancer, selling t-shirts and soliciting donations for the cause.
    The WLU women hit the road next weekend with a Friday night match at Davis & Elkins followed by a Saturday afternoon contest at West Virginia Wesleyan.