INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- West Virginia State University's volleyball team earned a spot in the Mountain East Conference Championship match with a commanding 3-0 sweep of Concord in the MEC Semifinals. Maureen Mathews led the Yellow Jackets with 19 kills, playing a key role in their offensive success.
Concord took an early 2-0 lead, but WVSU quickly bounced back. After a 2-2 tie, the Yellow Jackets took their first lead at 3-2. The set was tied again at 4-4 after an attack error by WVSU's Kiersten Eggleton, but the Yellow Jackets pulled ahead, reaching a 10-7 lead thanks to timely kills and Concord errors. WVSU held on to claim the first set 25-22, with Mathews delivering the final kill, followed by a Concord attack error.
In the second set, WVSU went on a dominant 7-1 run midway through. Mathews, Baby Moleni, and Nicole Gartner were key contributors during this stretch, and WVSU went on to take the set 25-18, leading 2-0 in the match.
The third set saw Concord fight back with strong kills from Meg Williams and Kyndra Pilant, but WVSU's offensive firepower proved too much. The Yellow Jackets gradually extended their lead, finishing the set 25-18 on a final kill by Hannah Steele.
WVSU finished with 75 total points, 53 kills, 4 aces, and 44 digs. They were also strong defensively, registering 4 blocks. Concord posted 60 points, 34 kills, and 29 digs. However, 11 attack errors in the third set and 6 service errors throughout the match hurt Concord's chances.
Mathews led WVSU with 19 kills and a .552 hitting percentage. Moleni added 16 kills, and Eggleton posted 41 assists, 10 digs, and a kill. Steele contributed 12 points, including 10 kills and 7 digs. For Concord, Williams led with 11 kills and 14 points, while Pilant added 9 kills. Paige Richmond finished with 14 assists.
WVSU advances to the MEC Championship match against Wheeling University, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 23, at 6 p.m. inside the Walker Convocation Center. The Yellow Jackets and Cardinals have met in the title match three out of the last four years. The winner will earn an automatic bid to the 2024 NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Championship.
