WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University volleyball team opened Mountain East Conference play on a winning note Friday night, rallying past Charleston, 3-1, at the ASRC by scores of 25-21, 25-20, 20-25 and 25-20.
The victory moved the Hilltoppers to 2-13 overall and 1-0 in MEC play, while Charleston dropped to 5-7 overall and 0-1 in conference action.
West Liberty finished with a 59-34 advantage in kills and hit .181 for the match while holding the Golden Eagles to a .096 hitting percentage. The Hilltoppers also won the digging battle, 74-67, and received a strong all-around performance from
Amira DuPree.
DuPree finished with 14 kills, 15 digs and 17 points, while
Dakoda Keni directed the Hilltopper offense with 42 assists and added 12 digs.
Taylor Speake led all players with 22 digs, and
Julia Birck contributed 10 kills and five total blocks, including four solo blocks.
West Liberty showed its ability to answer Charleston's runs throughout the match, particularly in the first and third sets.
The Hilltoppers trailed 10-5 early in the opening set before working their way back to within 12-10. Charleston later held an 18-17 advantage, but West Liberty responded with four straight points to take a 21-18 lead.
DuPree delivered consecutive kills during the run, followed by a Charleston attack error that pushed the lead to 22-19. The Golden Eagles pulled within 24-21, but
Sidney Keni closed out the set with a kill from
Dakoda Keni as the Hilltoppers took the opener, 25-21.
West Liberty carried that momentum into the second set, creating separation with a four-point run that turned a 16-14 lead into a 20-14 advantage.
Sidney Keni,
Giana Bogunovich and Birck recorded kills during the stretch, while
Lily Brinker added a service ace.
Charleston cut the deficit to 22-19, but the Hilltoppers answered with two of the next three points. DuPree then finished the set with another kill from
Dakoda Keni to give West Liberty a 25-20 victory and a 2-0 match lead.
The Golden Eagles responded in the third set, but the Hilltoppers again showed their ability to fight through adversity.
Charleston built a 15-12 advantage before West Liberty scored five consecutive points to move in front 17-15. Bogunovich recorded kills on both sides of a Brinker service ace during the run.
The Hilltoppers remained in front, 20-18, following a DuPree kill, but Charleston closed the set with seven straight points to win 25-20 and extend the match.
Charleston carried that momentum into the fourth set, opening with a 4-0 lead. West Liberty quickly answered, tying the score at 5-5 before taking a 12-11 advantage.
The Hilltoppers then put together another late surge. With West Liberty leading 19-17, DuPree,
Sidney Keni and
Adrienne Staib delivered kills during a 4-0 run that pushed the advantage to 23-17.
Sidney Keni then put the finishing touches on the victory with back-to-back kills, giving West Liberty the 25-20 set win and the 3-1 match victory.
The Hilltoppers' 59 kills came on 160 attacks, while Charleston finished with 34 kills on 145 attacks. Charleston held a 10-7 edge in total blocks, but both teams recorded five service aces.
Friday's victory marked West Liberty's first MEC win of the season and the Hilltoppers' second victory of the 2026 campaign.
West Liberty now hits the road for its next conference match, traveling to Davis & Elkins on Tuesday, Sept. 22, for a 7 p.m. match at the McDonnell Center in Elkins. The Senators are scheduled to be the Hilltoppers' second MEC opponent of the season.
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.
