WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University volleyball team fell 3-0 to Fairmont State on Friday night at the Academic Sports and Recreation Complex, dropping the match by set scores of 18-25, 15-25 and 19-25.
The Hilltoppers moved to 10-18 overall and 9-5 in Mountain East Conference play, while Fairmont State improved to 25-5 overall and 13-1 in the MEC.
West Liberty matched the Falcons with 32 kills but was hampered by 30 attack errors, finishing with a .014 hitting percentage. Fairmont State committed just 15 errors and hit .153. The Falcons also held advantages in digs (67-59), blocks (9-5) and service aces (4-2).
Taylor Speake led the Hilltoppers defensively with 22 digs, while setter
Dakoda Keni totaled 24 assists and seven digs.
Amira DuPree paced the attack with seven kills and added nine digs.
Giana Bogunovich contributed six kills, and
Adrienne Staib added five kills, two solo blocks and a service ace. Staib and
Ava Trentman each recorded two solo blocks.
West Liberty opened the first set with a 5-4 advantage behind kills from Trentman and Bogunovich, but Fairmont State gradually created separation. Staib contributed a kill and a service ace as the Hilltoppers pulled within 17-13. The Falcons responded with four consecutive points to extend their lead. West Liberty closed the gap with back-to-back DuPree kills, but Fairmont State secured the set, 25-18.
The Hilltoppers were unable to find a sustained run in the second set as Fairmont State built an 11-6 lead and later stretched the advantage to 22-13. Staib, DuPree, Bogunovich and
Julia Birck recorded kills for West Liberty, while Birck, Trentman and Staib contributed at the net. The Falcons closed out the set, 25-15.
Fairmont State jumped ahead 8-2 in the third set and maintained control before moving in front 22-13. West Liberty responded with four straight points, sparked by a Trentman kill, a
Jessa Anderson service ace and consecutive kills from DuPree, cutting the deficit to 22-17. The Falcons held off the late push to finish the match with a 25-19 third-set victory.
West Liberty will return to the court Monday night, when the Hilltoppers travel to face Frostburg State. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Bobcat Arena in Frostburg, Maryland.
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at
westliberty.edu.
