URBANA, Ohio – The West Liberty University volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to Urbana here Friday night in Mountain East Conference action at Grimes Gymnasium.
    Coach Kayla Mull's Hilltoppers (15-13, 7-6) battled the Blue Knights (16-9, 11-1) to the wire in all three sets but couldn't get over the hump as Urbana solidified its hold on second place in the MEC standings.
    The hosts grabbed a 1-0 lead with a 25-20 win in the opening set and then finished strong for a 25-18 nod in the second set. West Liberty rallied to take a 21-20 lead in the third set only to see the Blue Knights re-take momentum and complete the sweep with a 25-23 decision.
    Madison Clayton had another strong match for West Liberty. The 6-5 junior middle blocker hit .550 with a team-high 11 kills and 3 blocks. Mackenzie Sims made a run at a double-double with 8 kills an 16 digs while Jo Lyn Jurek led all players with a match-high 19 digs.
    Renee Lemke and Kendall Souder finished with 19 and 14 assists, respectively.
    The Lady Hilltoppers face another challenge on Tuesday when No. 15-ranked Wheeling heads up the hill to the ASRC. First serve is set for 7 p.m.