WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University women's volleyball team closes out its 2026 regular season Thursday night when it welcomes Wheeling to the Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex for a Mountain East Conference matchup. First serve is set for 7 p.m., with the Hilltoppers recognizing seniors Dakoda Keni and Adrienne Staib during Senior Night festivities.

West Liberty enters the regular-season finale at 10-19 overall and 9-6 in MEC play, currently third in the North Division. The Hilltoppers are looking to snap a two-match losing streak after falling to Fairmont State and Frostburg State in their last two outings. Wheeling comes to the Hilltop at 17-10 overall and 11-4 in conference play, sitting second in the North Division and riding a three-match winning streak.

Thursday's contest will mark the 60th meeting between the two programs. Wheeling leads the all-time series 55-4, including an 18-2 record in matches played on the Hilltop and a 31-1 mark on its home court. The rivalry has been more competitive in recent seasons, with the teams splitting their last four meetings. Two of those matches went at least four sets.

The Cardinals claimed the first meeting of the 2026 season, earning a 3-1 victory in Wheeling on Oct. 6. Set scores were 25-12, 25-20, 13-25 and 25-19. Camryn Matus led the Cardinals with a triple-double of 13 kills, 13 assists and 11 digs. Faith Keifer added 23 assists and 11 digs, while Mara McDougal finished with 10 digs.

West Liberty has several players ranked among the top performers in the Mountain East Conference entering the final match of the regular season.

Junior outside hitter Amira DuPree ranks fourth in the MEC with 3.00 kills per set and fifth in points per set at 3.40. She has totaled 315 kills, 31 service aces and 357 points while adding 316 digs.

Setter Dakoda Keni leads the conference with 7.56 assists per set, distributing 794 assists through 105 sets. She has also contributed 85 kills, 234 digs and 18 service aces.

Taylor Speake ranks sixth in the conference in both digs per set (4.47) and service aces per set (.38). She has recorded 407 digs and 35 service aces. Julia Birck also appears among the league's top performers, ranking sixth in hitting percentage at .310 with 160 kills and 52 total blocks.

Staib rounds out West Liberty's individual conference leaders, ranking 10th in service aces per set at .33. She has delivered 35 aces, 157 kills and 55 total blocks, including 16 solo blocks.

As a team, the Hilltoppers rank fifth in the MEC in service aces per set at 1.69. West Liberty is seventh in digs per set (14.97) and kills per set (11.61), eighth in assists per set (10.26), ninth in hitting percentage (.152) and 11th in blocks per set (1.22).

Wheeling enters Thursday's matchup with one of the more efficient offensive attacks in the conference. The Cardinals rank third in team hitting percentage at .197 and second in digs per set at 16.95. They also rank sixth in both kills per set (12.00) and assists per set (11.12), seventh in blocks per set (1.76) and 12th in service aces per set (1.31).

Katie Wilking has been one of the Cardinals' most efficient offensive players, ranking second in the MEC in hitting percentage at .333. She has recorded 161 kills and 67 total blocks through 91 sets.

Matus leads Wheeling with 242 kills and adds 318 assists and 128 digs. Keifer has distributed 450 assists, while McDougal anchors the back row with 443 digs, averaging 4.82 per set to rank fourth in the conference.

The Cardinals also feature Aleithia Wilson, who has contributed 126 kills and 73 blocks, and Isabella Faro, who has recorded 22 service aces.

Thursday's match will also provide an opportunity to recognize two important members of the Hilltopper program as Keni and Staib take the court for their final regular-season home match.

Keni, an Exercise Physiology major with a minor in Coaching, has been a key part of West Liberty's offense throughout the season. Her 794 assists lead the MEC, and she has added 234 digs and 85 kills. In her career she has more than 3,000 career assists and 1,000 career digs.

Staib has made an impact in multiple areas of the lineup, totaling 157 kills, 35 service aces and 55 blocks.

The Hilltoppers will look to send their seniors out with a strong performance against their longtime rival while closing the regular season on their home court.

Following Thursday's matchup, West Liberty will turn its attention to the Mountain East Conference Championship, scheduled for Nov. 11.


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.