FAIRMONT, W.Va. — West Liberty University takes a two-match winning streak into a key Mountain East Conference North Division matchup Friday night when the Hilltoppers visit Fairmont State University.

First serve is set for 7 p.m. at Joe Retton Arena, with both teams entering the match at 2-0 in MEC play. West Liberty is 3-13 overall and riding a two-match winning streak, while Fairmont State is 13-4 overall and has won four straight.

The Hilltoppers opened conference play with a 3-1 home victory against Charleston on Sept. 18 before repeating the result Tuesday night at Davis & Elkins. West Liberty defeated the Senators 25-15, 25-19, 25-27, 25-15 to move to 2-0 in MEC play.

Fairmont State has been equally impressive to open conference play. The Falcons swept Shawnee State, 3-0, on Sept. 18 before rolling past Wheeling, 3-0, Tuesday night. Fairmont State won the three sets against the Cardinals 25-19, 25-16 and 25-8.

Friday's matchup brings together two teams that have taken different paths to the same 2-0 conference mark. Fairmont State has been one of the MEC's most productive teams offensively, ranking third in the conference in kills at 12.68 per set and fourth in hitting percentage at .183. The Falcons also lead the MEC with 17.80 digs per set and rank second in assists at 11.81 per set.

West Liberty enters the match averaging 10.75 kills and 9.27 assists per set while hitting .109. The Hilltoppers are averaging 14.75 digs per set, which ranks sixth in the MEC.

Amira DuPree continues to pace the Hilltopper attack. DuPree has recorded 166 kills through 55 sets, averaging 3.02 kills per set, which ranks second in the MEC. She has also added 168 digs and 17 service aces.

Sidney Keni gives West Liberty another major offensive option with 108 kills and a 2.63 kills-per-set average. Julia Birck has added 85 kills while leading the Hilltoppers at the net with 38 total blocks, an average of 0.69 per set. Adrienne Staib has contributed 63 kills and 29 blocks.

At the controls, Dakoda Keni has recorded 321 assists, averaging 5.84 per set, while Taylor Speake leads the Hilltoppers defensively with 169 digs and a 4.12 digs-per-set average.

Fairmont State counters with a balanced attack led by Josie Nobbe, who has 145 kills and is averaging 2.46 per set. Kailyn Connelly has added 128 kills at a .240 hitting percentage, while Elena Thompson has 134 kills, 36 service aces and 204 digs.
Natalie Zemba is hitting .341 with 59 kills, while Alexa Martin is hitting .368 with 50 kills.

Setter Belle DeVall has 344 assists and is averaging 5.83 per set, while libero Grace DeVall leads the Falcons with 321 digs and a 5.44 digs-per-set average.

The Falcons also have one of the MEC's most productive servers in Thompson, whose 36 aces lead the conference and represent a .61 aces-per-set average.

Friday's match is the first of two regular-season meetings between the Hilltoppers and Falcons. West Liberty will host Fairmont State on Oct. 30 at the ASRC.

The teams have split their most recent meetings. Fairmont State won a five-set battle in the 2025 regular-season finale, 23-25, 25-22, 24-26, 25-22, 15-10, after West Liberty swept the Falcons 3-0 at home earlier that season.

The Hilltoppers have also won at Fairmont in recent seasons, taking a 3-1 decision in 2023 and a 3-1 victory in 2016.

With both teams unbeaten in conference play, Friday's meeting gives West Liberty an opportunity to continue its early MEC momentum against a Fairmont State squad that has established itself as one of the conference's top statistical teams.

First serve is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Joe Retton Arena.



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.