WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University women's volleyball team returns to the ASRC on Friday night, hosting Mountain East Conference rival Fairmont State in a 7 p.m. first serve.

The Hilltoppers (7-9, 0-1 MEC) come into the matchup fresh off a sweep of Salem on Tuesday, where they hit .291 as a team and piled up nine service aces. West Liberty has been strong at the net this fall, averaging 11.6 kills per set on a .184 attack percentage while also holding opponents to a lower .169 clip.

Offensively, Ashley Cudnik leads the charge with 156 kills (2.84/set), while Liv McAtee (114 kills, .193) and Kyia White (103 kills) add balance across the front row. Setter Dakoda Keni has paced the offense with 312 assists (5.5/set) while also contributing 13 service aces. Defensively, Bella Dart anchors the back row with a team-high 199 digs.

Fairmont State (11-5, 1-1 MEC) makes the short trip up I-79 looking to bounce back from a four-set loss to Wheeling on Tuesday. The Falcons boast one of the league's most efficient attacks, hitting .194 as a team and ranking second in the MEC in kills per set (13.3). Joey Borelle (224 kills, 3.9/set) and McKenzi Martin (178 kills, 3.3/set) form one of the top outside hitter duos in the conference, while libero Josie Skinn leads the defensive effort with 304 digs (5.2/set).

Both teams enter the weekend among the MEC's statistical leaders – West Liberty in hitting percentage defense (.169 allowed) and Fairmont State in assists and kills. Friday's clash sets up as another competitive chapter in a series that has consistently delivered close sets and energetic atmospheres.