WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University volleyball team broke up a tight match with a huge third set here Tuesday and pulled away to a 3-1 win against Malone (Ohio) in non-conference action at the ASRC.
    Coach Riley Schenk's Hilltoppers (7-4) outlasted the Pioneers (4-5) for a 29-27 marathon victory in the opening set only to see the visitors rebound to knot the match with a 25-21 verdict in the second set.
    The Black and Gold spotted Malone an early 2-1 lead in the fourth set before reeling off 15 of the next 19 points to take an insurmountable 16-5 lead. West Liberty never took its foot off the gas the rest of the way, coasting to a 25-13 win and following that up with an identical 25-13 triumph in the fourth set to close up shop.
    Kirsten Bogunovich led the way with a triple-double, notching 10 kills, 26 assists and 15 digs, while Maddie Clayton and Riley Cudnik added 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Katelynn Fritz had 8 kills and 11 digs while Nina Billotto weighed in with 8 kills and a match-high 4 blocks.
    Freshman Haley Zeck charted her first double-double with 19 assists and 10 digs while reigning MEC Defensive Player of the Week led all players with 32 digs.
    The West Liberty women return to the ASRC on Friday and Saturday to host the Hilltopper Invitational, an MEC/PSAC Crossover event.