ERIE, Pa. - The West Liberty University volleyball team competed in the program's first NCAA Tournament this afternoon at the Atlantic Regional hosted by Gannon University. The Hilltoppers dropped the opening round match in three sets to second seeded Clarion.

West Liberty fell behind early, but stayed within reach. Kirsten Bogunovich and Ruby Countryman each had a kill and they tag-teamed a block to tie it for the first time at 17. 

The sides alternated the next nine points, creating four more ties but the Golden Eagles were able to stay ahead. Clarion pushed its lead to 23-21, however another 3-0 Hilltopper run gave them their first lead of the game and created a set point at 24-23. The Golden Eagles answered with a kill and back-to-back blocks to claim the opening set, 26-24.

Clarion gained space with a 6-0 run in the middle of set two to go up 15-8 and cruised to a 25-16 victory for a 2-0 set lead.

West Liberty came out strong in the third set winning five of the first six rallies. Kaija Sydlowski fired four kills early in the third to push the 'Topper lead to 8-5. Clarion took the lead for the first time in the set at 11-9 with a 6-0 spurt. The Hilltoppers got back in front late off a 6-1 run that featured a pair of Countryman kills. The Golden Eagles immediately answered with seven straight points to set up match point and closed it out 25-21.

Countryman and Liv McAtee led the offense with eight kills each. The freshman McAtee slammed six of her eight in the first set.

Nyia Setla had a game-high 16 digs on the back line, while Countryman paced the defense at the net with four blocks. Nina Billotto, Bogunovich, and Riley Cudnik all added three stuffs each.

Clarion held a major edge in the serve game with 11 aces to one for the Hilltoppers, who also committed seven errors from the serve line.

West Liberty's historic season comes to an end with a 21-13 record after earning its first NCAA Tournament appearance and highest regional ranking in program history.

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Postgame Interview with Coach Riley Schenk, Liv McAtee, and Ruby Countryman