Ashland, Ohio – While the West Liberty volleyball team was able to push the match to four sets, they were unable to overcome losses to New Haven in the first two and fell 3-1 on Saturday afternoon. The Chargers won the match with set scores of 25-8, 25-22, 21-25, and 25-15 as the Hilltoppers fell to 2-2 with the opening weekend of play coming to a close.
 
QUICK DETAILS
Final Score: West Liberty 1, New Haven 3
Team Records: West Liberty 2-2, New Haven 3-1
Attendance: 140
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• New Haven seized control of the match right away in set one, racing out to a 7-2 advantage where West Liberty's only two points were off kills from Riley Cudnik. The Chargers pushed the lead to double-digits at 13-3 and led by as many as 17 during the set, winning the frame 25-8.
• UNH grabbed the first two points of set two, however WLU responded immediately with three consecutive points from one kill each by Cudnik and Adrienne Staib and a double block from the pair, to lead for the first time. The Black & Gold led by as many as two points throughout the set, but New Haven used a 5-1 scoring run to swing the momentum back their direction. Back-to-back kills by Ashley Cudnik capped a late 3-0 scoring run, however the Chargers held off the Hilltopper attack to win the set 25-22.
• West Liberty grabbed control of set three early with a 7-1 scoring run to start the frame, but New Haven responded with five of the next six points to get back within two. After WLU led by as many as five midway through the set, UNH rallied again with a 6-1 scoring run to take their first lead of the set at 19-18. From that point the Hilltoppers used a 7-2 scoring run powered by four kills from Ashley Cudnik to extend the match to set four.
• The two teams traded points early on in set four, but New Haven would jump out to an 11-6 lead with a 5-1 scoring run. West Liberty would take four of the next five points to get back within two, however UNH again had an answer and extended the lead to 19-12. After getting within two points, the Chargers outscored the Hilltoppers 13-5 to win the set 25-15.
• Riley Cudnik reached double-digit kills (10) for the third time during the opening weekend, and was joined in double-figures by her younger sister, freshman Ashley Cudnik who reached double-digit kills (10) for the first time in her career.
• With 25 assists against the Chargers, Dakoda Keni reached 25+ assists for the second time on opening weekend, and with 19 digs on the night, Nyia Setla reached 15+ digs for the third time.
• The Chargers held the advantage in the match with a .241 attack percentage compared to .161 for the Hilltoppers. UNH also held the edge in total points (71-46), kills (55-43), aces (9-0), blocks (7-3), assists (47-40), and digs (69-58).

WEST LIBERTY STATISTICAL LEADERS
Riley Cudnik: 10 kills, .400 attack percentage, 3 blocks, 1 dig
Dakoda Keni: 25 assists, 7 digs, 2 kills
Nyia Setla: 19 digs, 4 assists
 
UP NEXT
West Liberty will return to the hilltop and play their home opener next Tuesday (September 5), welcoming Indiana (PA) to the friendly confines of the "ASRC" Academic Sports & Recreation Complex. The Hilltoppers and Crimson Hawks are scheduled for a 6 p.m. first serve.