WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The West Liberty University volleyball team lost in straight sets to visiting Fairmont State this evening. The Hilltoppers were only outscored by four points in total, but could not get the late runs they needed.

West Liberty (11-7, 1-2) got out to a 9-3 lead in the opening set, but Fairmont State (16-2, 2-1) chipped away and took its first lead of the match at 19-18. The Falcons held on and won five of the last seven points to take a 1-0 lead with a 25-23 victory.

After a Hilltopper kill began set two, Fairmont State rattled off six consecutive points and never surrendered the lead to take firm control of the match, 2-0. WLU got as a close as four a couple of times, but the Falcons never let it get closer than that on way to a 25-17 set win.

The Hilltoppers scored early again in the third set, starting with a 4-1 lead. The Falcon run this time was eight in a row to go up 9-4. West Liberty narrowed the margin to one (19-18) after a trio of rally wins. The next nine points alternated winners, keeping Fairmont ahead by one. The Falcons eventually won two in a row to end it (25-22).

Riley Cudnik paced the Hilltopper attack with eight kills. Haley Zeck and Kirsten Bogunovich handled the passing duties with 16 and 15 assists respectively. Bella Dart added three of the team's six aces.

Nyia Setla led all players with 21 digs on the 'Topper backline, while Cudnik and Nina Billotto each had three blocks at the net.

West Liberty was blocked a season-high 13 times by Fairmont State, who leads the conference and is second in the nation in total blocks.

The Black and Gold hits the road for its next match on Friday at Frostburg State. First serve is scheduled for 7 pm.

Follow the Hilltoppers all season online at HilltopperSports.com as well as on Twitter (@WLU_Volleyball | @WLathletics), Instagram (@wlu_volleyball | @wlu_athletics), and Facebook.