WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University volleyball team will look to keep its momentum rolling when it welcomes West Virginia State to the ASRC on Friday night for a key Mountain East Conference matchup. First serve is set for 7 p.m.

The Hilltoppers (14-11, 6-3 MEC) are coming off a straight-set win at Salem on Tuesday, hitting .303 as a team while racking up eight service aces and nine total blocks. West Liberty has won seven of its last nine matches to move into second place in the MEC North Division standings.

West Liberty enters the weekend near the top of the league in several key statistical categories, hitting .210 as a team while averaging 12.3 kills, 11.5 assists, and 15.9 digs per set. The Hilltoppers also boast one of the conference's most balanced blocking units, averaging 2.0 blocks per set and outblocking opponents 170 to 132 on the season.

Junior Ashley Cudnik leads the offense with 278 kills (3.35 per set), followed by Liv McAtee with 173 and Kyia White with 143. Setter Dakoda Keni continues to steer the attack with 632 assists (7.35 per set) and ranks among the team leaders in aces with 25. On defense, Bella Dart anchors the back row with 319 digs, while Adrienne Staib and Grace Hill have combined for 125 total blocks at the net.

West Virginia State (12-10, 6-4 MEC) comes into Friday's contest on a five-match winning streak, including a sweep of Concord on Tuesday. The Yellow Jackets have been one of the league's best defensive teams this season, averaging 18 digs and 2.4 blocks per set. Offensively, Alyssa Hill (244 kills, .190 hitting percentage) and Nicole Gartner Custodio (.361 hitting percentage, 199 kills) pace the attack, while setter Kelsey McKeehan has distributed 420 assists.

Both teams are jockeying for position in the conference standings as the regular season enters its final stretch. West Liberty is 7-3 at home this year, while West Virginia State is 6-4 in away matches.

Friday's meeting is the first of the season between the programs.