SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – The West Liberty University volleyball team defeated Notre Dame (Ohio), 3-1, in a crucial Mountain East Conference North Division match Tuesday night at Murphy Gym.
    Coach Riley Schenk's Hilltoppers (15-11, 6-4) got off to a slow start, dropping a 25-20 decision to the host Falcons (13-12, 4-6) in the opening set but grabbed the momentum at the start of the second set and never let go.
    West Liberty reeled off three straight 25-19 wins to close out the match, avenging an early-season 3-2 loss to Notre Dame and closing the gap to just a game behind second-place Fairmont State in the division chase.
    Madison Clayton once more led the way for the Black and Gold, putting away a match-high 13 kills to go along with four blocks while hitting at a .367 clip. Kirsten Bogunovich came up just short on yet another run at a triple-double with 9 kills, 24 assists and 13 digs to go along with 3 service aces.
    Katelynn Fritz just missed a double-double with 10 kills and 9 digs while MacKenzie Daub added 9 kills and Nina Billotto finished with 8 kills and a match-high 5 blocks. Nyia Setla led all players with 28 digs with Haley Zeck contributing 23 assists and 8 digs.
    The Hilltoppers return to the friendly confines of the ASRC on Friday night to host Davis & Elkins in a 7 p.m. match.