CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University volleyball team defeated its rival, Charleston, for the second time this season in a midweek Mountain East Conference contest on Tuesday night. The Yellow Jackets picked up a 3-1 win over the Golden Eagles at home earlier this year and established themselves as the preeminent collegiate volleyball team in Kanawha County with a 3-0 sweep of UC on the road. This was the third consecutive sweep by the Yellow Jackets and their 13th sweep of the 2019 season.

After Notre Dame (Ohio) swept Urbana across the league, West Virginia State (19-12, 11-3 MEC) moves into a tie for second place with UU in the conference standings.  Meanwhile, Charleston falls to 10-20 overall and 5-9 in the MEC with the loss.

The tag team duo of sophomore outside hitters Jenna Dufresne and Gabrielle Bullock was on full display as each player posted 13 kills along with a single service ace. Dufresne also recorded a block solo and a block assist to lead her team with 15.5 points. Junior setter Brianna Brandt orchestrated the attack with a match-high 34 assists.

The first set saw the Yellow Jackets spring to a 21-12 lead. At that point, the Golden Eagles tried to make a comeback but were stopped short when Bullock rose up for the set-winning kill, 25-20.

The second set almost went Charleston's way. UC went up 22-20 late and only needed three more points to even the match. WVSU had a different idea, though, and registered the next five points to go up 2-0. Sophomore middle hitter J'Lana Stone made two consecutive kills to end it.

The Yellow Jackets came out on a tear in the third set, going ahead 13-4 early on. Charleston fought back to get within one point of a tie, 24-23, but would go no further. An attack error by the Golden Eagles gave the match to West Virginia State.

The Yellow Jackets have now won the last three contests against Charleston and evened the series record at 3-3 since Head Coach Kris Kern took over in 2017.

West Virginia State will be back at home for its final two games of the regular season. First, WVSU hosts West Virginia Wesleyan (5-21, 2-11 MEC) at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. Next, the Yellow Jackets celebrate Senior Night with the season finale against Davis & Elkins (17-8, 10-4 MEC) at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Makala Cook will be recognized for her four years of service to the volleyball team as this year's sole senior. Cook has provided invaluable leadership both on and off the court throughout her career as a Yellow Jacket.