INDIANA, Pa. — The West Liberty University volleyball team opened the 2026 season Friday with a pair of hard-fought matches at the IUP Crimson Hawk Classic, dropping a 3-0 decision to host Indiana (Pa.) before battling Daemen to a 3-2 setback at Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex.
The Hilltoppers (1-5) showed flashes of strong play throughout the opening day, including a nine-point run to erase a seven-point deficit against Indiana (Pa.) and rallying twice from a set down against Daemen before falling in the fifth set, 15-13.
West Liberty opened the day against Indiana (Pa.), falling 25-23, 25-21 and 25-15.
The Hilltoppers pushed the opening set to 23-23 before Indiana (Pa.) scored the final two points. West Liberty also mounted a major comeback in the second set, trailing 16-9 before scoring nine straight points to take an 18-16 lead.
Lily Brinker served through eight consecutive points during the run, which included three
Amira DuPree kills and two service aces from Brinker.
Indiana (Pa.) answered with the final five points, however, to take the second set 25-21.
West Liberty again rallied in the third set, overcoming an 8-3 deficit with five straight points to tie the score at 8-8. Indiana (Pa.) then scored seven consecutive points to regain control and closed out the match with a 25-15 third-set victory.
DuPree led the Hilltoppers with 12 kills and added a block assist.
Dakoda Keni recorded a team-high 14 assists and seven digs, while
Taylor Speake collected 11 digs and three assists.
Adrienne Staib added five kills on seven attacks, hitting .714, along with two service aces.
West Liberty finished with a 42-27 advantage in digs but hit .011 for the match. Indiana (Pa.) hit .181 and recorded nine blocks.
The Hilltoppers came back Friday evening with a five-set battle against Daemen, falling 25-16, 21-25, 25-18, 22-25 and 15-13.
After dropping the opening set, West Liberty rallied to win the second. The Hilltoppers erased an 18-14 deficit with five straight points to take a 19-18 lead before Daemen briefly moved back in front. West Liberty then scored the final five points, with Staib serving the closing stretch and recording an ace, while
Julia Birck was credited with two blocks.
Daemen regained the momentum in the third set, building a 20-13 advantage before taking the set 25-18.
West Liberty answered again in the fourth, winning four of the final five points after the set was tied at 21-21.
Sidney Keni and Birck delivered kills before
Kaelynn Burge closed the set with a service ace, giving the Hilltoppers a 25-22 victory and forcing a deciding fifth set.
West Liberty took an 8-7 lead in the fifth after trailing 3-0 early, but Daemen responded with four straight points. The Hilltoppers continued to battle, pulling within 13-12 on a DuPree kill and service ace before a Daemen service error made it 14-13. Daemen answered with the final point to secure the 15-13 victory.
Sidney Keni led all Hilltoppers with 17 kills and 17.5 points while hitting .333.
Dakoda Keni posted a team-high 26 assists and added six digs, while Speake collected 15 digs and added an ace. DuPree finished with nine kills, 13 digs and three service aces.
West Liberty returns to action Saturday for two more matches at the Crimson Hawk Classic. The Hilltoppers face Lake Erie at 9 a.m. before closing the tournament against Ashland at 3 p.m. Both matches will be played at Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex.
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.
