BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — West Virginia State (10-8, 5-0 MEC) secured a dominant 3-0 victory over West Virginia Wesleyan (12-6, 2-3 MEC) at the Rockefeller Center on Friday night. The Yellow Jackets claimed the match in straight sets, winning 25-23, 25-18, and 25-23. The win extended their unbeaten record to five in Mountain East Conference play.

West Virginia State's offense was led by Maureen Mathews, who notched 10 kills on a .333 hitting percentage, while Valencia Wilder contributed eight kills and six total blocks. The Yellow Jackets were effective at the net, finishing with 10 team blocks, including four from Mathews and two from Alyssa Hill. Setter Kiersten Eggleton played a crucial role, dishing out 29 assists and adding three service aces, while Morgan Caba led the team in serving with five aces. On defense, Hannah Steele and Ashlynne Davis each recorded eight digs, helping to limit West Virginia Wesleyan's attack to a .096 hitting percentage. The team collectively registered 12 service aces and held a .229 hitting efficiency across the match.

The opening set was a back-and-forth affair, featuring nine ties and six lead changes. WVSU overcame a mid-set deficit, rallying from 16-10 down behind strong serving from Morgan Caba, who recorded a pair of aces during a crucial run that tied the set at 16. Maureen Mathews delivered a key kill to put the Yellow Jackets up 24-23, and a service ace from Lauren Johnson sealed the 25-23 win.

The Yellow Jackets took control early in the second set, jumping out to a 12-4 lead with the help of three consecutive service aces from Kiersten Eggleton. WVSU's blocking was also pivotal, as Maureen Mathews and Alyssa Hill combined for crucial stops. The Bobcats struggled to respond, and a kill from Hill closed out the set at 25-18, giving the Yellow Jackets a 2-0 match lead.

The final set was tightly contested, with four ties and two lead changes. The Yellow Jackets pulled away late, thanks to a balanced offensive effort featuring kills from Mathews and Wilder. Leading 24-23, West Virginia State clinched the match when Johnson's serve forced an error from the Bobcats, resulting in a 25-23 victory.

West Virginia State's next game is against the University of Charleston on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the Walker Convocation Center.