WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University volleyball team returns home Tuesday night for a key Mountain East Conference matchup against regional rival Wheeling. First serve is set for 7 p.m. inside the Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex (ASRC).

The Hilltoppers (9-10, 2-2 MEC) will look to bounce back after dropping a hard-fought four-set match at Frostburg State on Friday. West Liberty has been solid at home this fall with a 4-3 record inside the ASRC and has shown strong balance throughout the lineup, hitting .181 as a team while holding opponents to a .159 attack percentage.

Outside hitter Ashley Cudnik leads the Hilltoppers with 193 kills (2.97 per set) and 213.5 points, followed closely by Liv McAtee with 134 kills (2.00/set) and a .192 hitting percentage. Kyia White has been a consistent offensive threat as well, contributing 116 kills and 18 aces, while setter Dakoda Keni has run the offense efficiently with 398 assists (5.94/set) and 15 service aces.

Defensively, Bella Dart anchors the back row with 240 digs (3.58/set), and Grace Hill and Adrienne Staib have combined for 88 total blocks to help the Hilltoppers average nearly two blocks per set.

Wheeling (8-9, 4-0 MEC) enters the match undefeated in league play and ranked atop the MEC North Division standings. The Cardinals have been led offensively by Cami Black, who has tallied 186 kills (3.26/set), and Camryn Matus, who adds 162 kills at a .224 clip. Defensively, libero Kendall Kupper paces the team with 234 digs (4.18/set), while Katie Wilking has been a force at the net with 43 blocks.

West Liberty will be aiming to snap a long skid in the series — Wheeling has won each of the last 20 meetings, including two victories last season. The Hilltoppers' last win over the Cardinals came in the spring 2021 season.