INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Virginia State volleyball team (5-7, 0-1 MEC) went head to head against the Wheeling University Cardinals (4-8, 1-0 MEC) at the Walker Convocation Center on Friday and fell 3-1.

The Yellow Jackets came into tonight's match winning three out of the last four against Wheeling, including the last two straight.

In the opener, WVSU lost the first set 17-25. However, they came back in the second set with a vengeance and won 25-19. Wheeling turned the tables back in their favor with a 25-20 set three victory.

In the final set, WVSU fought for a set point at 24-21 but then got outscored 6-1 to close the set and match, 25-27.

Statistically, State hit .199 on 75 kills, 32 errors, and 216 total attacks, with 65 assists, 101 digs, 6.0 total team blocks, and 2 service aces. Senior middle hitter Alyssa Hill paced the attack with 19 kills and 3 blocks (20.5 points). Carmen Perez added 15 kills and 18 digs for a strong two-way night, while Nicole Gartner Custodio chipped in 13 kills and 3 blocks. Setter Emma Pomaret ran the offense with 50 assists and 17 digs, and libero Lilly Adkins anchored the back row with a match-high 32 digs. Giatta Iquinto served both of State's aces.

Wheeling finished with 67 kills (.185), 61 assists, 97 digs, 9.0 blocks, and 7 aces. Cami Black led the Cardinals with 18 kills, while Faith Keifer posted 28 assists and 2 aces; Kendall Kupper tallied 34 digs, and Aleithia Wilson was in on 5 blocks.

State will go to Concord University on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 for their next match. First serve is scheduled for 7pm.