WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University volleyball team hits the road Tuesday for a key Mountain East Conference matchup against Wheeling, with first serve set for 7 p.m. at the Alma Grace McDonough Center.

The Hilltoppers enter the matchup at 5-14 overall but sit at 4-1 in MEC play after winning their last two matches. Wheeling is 10-5 overall and also 4-1 in conference action, with the Cardinals carrying a four-match winning streak into Tuesday's showdown.

West Liberty opened its current winning streak with a 3-0 sweep of Point Park on Sept. 29 before rallying past Frostburg State, 3-2, Friday night at the ASRC. The Hilltoppers have won four of their last five conference matches.

The Cardinals have been particularly strong at home this season, posting an 8-3 record in the McDonough Center. Wheeling's four-match winning streak includes a 3-0 victory at Davis & Elkins on Friday, along with conference wins against Point Park, Malone and Frostburg State.

Tuesday's matchup also features two of the MEC's top offensive performers. West Liberty's Amira DuPree ranks sixth in the conference with 2.91 kills per set and eighth in scoring at 3.31 points per set. Sidney Keni ranks ninth with 2.69 kills per set, while Taylor Speake is sixth in the MEC with 0.44 service aces and sixth with 4.35 digs per set. Julia Birck ranks seventh in the conference with a .308 hitting percentage, while setter Dakoda Keni is second in assists at 6.53 per set.

Wheeling counters with several of the conference's statistical leaders. Katie Wilking ranks second in the MEC with a .339 hitting percentage and ninth in blocks at 0.78 per set. Camryn Matus is seventh in the conference with 2.87 kills per set and seventh in scoring at 3.34 points per set. McDougal Mara ranks third in the MEC with 4.88 digs per set, while Wheeling ranks fifth in the conference in hitting percentage (.176), fifth in assists (10.55 per set), fifth in kills (11.51 per set) and fifth in blocks (1.87 per set).

As a team, West Liberty ranks ninth in the MEC with 10.94 kills per set and 10th in hitting percentage at .121. The Hilltoppers rank ninth in assists at 9.58 per set, seventh in service aces at 1.64 per set and sixth in digs at 14.92 per set. Wheeling ranks sixth in the conference in total points at 14.73 per set, while West Liberty is 10th at 13.77.

Tuesday's matchup is the first of two meetings between the rivals during the regular season. The Cardinals will make the return trip to West Liberty on Nov. 5 for the final regular-season meeting.

The Hilltoppers swept the season series in 2025, rallying for a 3-2 victory in the regular-season finale at Wheeling to clinch the North Division title. West Liberty also defeated Wheeling, 3-0, in the teams' first meeting last season at the ASRC.

West Liberty's current two-match winning streak has moved the Hilltoppers into the thick of the MEC race, and Tuesday's match provides an opportunity to gain ground against a Wheeling team with an identical 4-1 conference record.

Following Tuesday's match, West Liberty will remain on the road for a pair of MEC matches Friday and Saturday. The Hilltoppers visit Glenville State Friday at 6 p.m. before traveling to West Virginia Wesleyan for a 10 a.m. match Saturday.
 



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.