ERIE, PA – West Virginia State University volleyball concluded its championship-winning season with a hard-fought loss to Gannon University in the NCAA Tournament, falling in three sets (25-19, 25-18, 25-20) Friday night at the Hagerty Family Events Center.

The Yellow Jackets (24-10), who captured the 2024 MEC Tournament title, were led by senior setter Kiersten Eggleton, who tallied 30 assists in her final collegiate match. Eggleton finishes her illustrious career as WVSU's all-time leader in sets played (445), third all-time in assists (3,184), and second in service aces (166). Fellow senior Hannah Steele capped a record-breaking season with a team-high 12 kills and six digs. Steele's 443 kills this year are the second most in program history, and her 1,206 total attacks set a new single-season record.

WVSU battled from the outset, keeping the opening set close behind Steele and Valencia Wilder's offensive efforts. However, Gannon (25-7) used strong net play, amassing 13 blocks and holding the Yellow Jackets to a .049 hitting percentage for the match.

The second set saw the Yellow Jackets fight to stay within reach, with Steele and Wilder contributing key points. Wilder finished with nine kills on a .300 hitting percentage. Gannon's balanced attack and the play of Journey Blevins, who recorded 13 kills, proved the difference.

In the final set, WVSU opened with a 7-4 lead, fueled by Eggleton's expert distribution and Wilder's efficient hitting. Gannon responded with a decisive 6-0 run to regain control and close out the match.

The 2024 season will be remembered as a historic campaign for WVSU volleyball, marked by an MEC Tournament championship, an NCAA Tournament berth, and the record-setting performances of Eggleton and Steele. As these seniors graduate, the program looks forward to a promising future with key contributors like Wilder and Nicole Gartner Custodio returning to build on this year's success.