INDIANA, Pa. – West Virginia State University (WVSU) volleyball secured a commanding 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-20) victory over Lock Haven at the Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex on Friday, Sept. 13, marking the first career win for Head Coach Avery Moore.
In a match that saw the Yellow Jackets dominate from the opening serve, WVSU showcased their prowess on both sides of the net, with key contributions from multiple players leading to an efficient win. WVSU moves to 1-5 on the season, while Lock Haven falls to 1-4.
Hannah Steele led WVSU with 12 kills, hitting at an impressive .440 percentage.
Valencia Wilder dominated at the net with 8 kills and a .571 hitting percentage, along with 3 block solos.
Gabrielle Elliott contributed 7 kills and 7 digs.
Kiersten Eggleton orchestrated the offense with 30 assists, also adding 6 kills.
West Virginia State came out strong in the first set, building an early lead with the help of
Hannah Steele, who racked up 4 kills in the set.
Kiersten Eggleton added a pair of kills and kept the offense flowing smoothly, helping the Yellow Jackets to a comfortable 25-16 set win. WVSU's blocking unit, led by
Valencia Wilder, also made its presence felt, frustrating Lock Haven's hitters and limiting their offensive options.
In the second set, WVSU's dominance continued as they raced to a quick lead, capitalizing on Lock Haven's attack errors.
Gabrielle Elliott and
Valencia Wilder powered the offense with several crucial kills, while WVSU's defense, anchored by libero
Milla Smith, held Lock Haven to just 14 points. The set ended 25-14 in favor of the Yellow Jackets, with WVSU boasting an 80% sideout percentage.
The third set saw Lock Haven put up more resistance, but WVSU maintained their momentum. Wilder and Steele continued their offensive barrage, and Eggleton contributed with key assists to guide WVSU to a 25-20 set victory, sealing the match. Despite some late pressure from Lock Haven, the Yellow Jackets' defensive discipline and well-rounded attack were too much for their opponents to handle.
WVSU hopes to continue the momentum against Shippensburg on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 9:00 a.m.
