INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University volleyball team (17-1, 4-0 MEC) will host Charleston (17-2, 4-0 MEC) on Tuesday, Oct. 4 before traveling to Notre Dame College (8-12, 2-2 MEC) on Friday, Oct. 7 and Alderson Broaddus (6-8, 0-4 MEC) on Saturday, Oct. 8 this week. The Charleston and Notre Dame games are scheduled for 7 p.m. starts. The match against AB is scheduled for noon.

The Buzz at State

West Virginia State currently holds their opponents to the lowest hitting percentage (.074), assists (7.80 per set), kills (8.37 per set), service aces (0.94 per set) and digs (10.94 per set) in the conference. The Yellow Jackets also rank second in hitting percentage (.281), assists (12.41 per set), kills (13.73 per set) and service aces (2.31) in the league. 

The Yellow Jackets are led by juniors Diamond'Nique Young and Kiersten Eggleton. Young leads WVSU in points (239.5), kills (199), hitting percentage (.452) and blocks (66).  Meanwhile, Eggleton ranks second in points (187.0), kills (143) and assists (227) on the team. She also leads her team in service aces with 27 so far and ranks third in both digs (146) and blocks (34).  

Rivalry Renewed

The Yellow Jackets' win streak against UC currently stands at nine matches with their last loss to the Golden Eagles being on Sept. 25, 2018. Since then, WVSU has dropped a total of three sets to Charleston to dominate the rivalry in recent years.

Tuesday's matchup will determine who will top the MEC South Division as both State and UC are 4-0 in league play this season. Both teams have already played all other teams in the division going into the contest. State swept all four opponents while Charleston dropped one set each to D&E and Glenville. 

Scouting the Golden Eagles

Charleston possesses two outstanding outside hitters in Sage Bearnson and McKenzie Damon. Both players have already surpassed 200 kills this season. They are aided by setter Maria Hernandez who has provided 675 assists coming into the week.

UC's libero Erin Carmody keeps the ball from hitting the court with a team-high 304 digs and a .980 reception percentage. Meanwhile, middle blocker Reagan McLean keeps the ball from going over the net with a team-leading 77 blocks and only three block errors.

Scouting the Falcons

Notre Dame is 2-2 in league play going into the week with wins coming against West Liberty, 3-1, and Frostburg, 3-0. The Falcons lost in four sets to both Fairmont and Wheeling. NDC currently boasts five players with at least 100 kills to make defensive preparations difficult.

Outside hitter Kaye Dregalia is the most potent offensive threat with 181 kills thus far. Setter Jayme Zoeckler distributes the ball well with 502 assists to her name this season. Defensive specialist Kiley Kalina does not let much by her with 342 digs. Middle blockers Ryleigh Ronald and Carli Derda both stand over six feet tall and have recorded 57 and 55 blocks, respectively.

Scouting the Battlers 

Alderson Broaddus will be the first MEC North Division opponent faced by the Yellow Jackets. The Battlers have been swept in all four conference matches played going into the week. AB ranks last or near the bottom of the MEC in almost every statistical category.

Alderson Broaddus is led by outside hitter Jocie Fisher (168 kills), setter Kaitlyn Jager (322 assists), defensive specialist Jordan Grimes (133 digs), and middle blocker Zoey Kiefer (25 blocks).