Glenville State Volleyball Sets Eyes on MEC Tournament

Glenville, W.Va. - Glenville State's Volleyball team is set to embark on their first post-season run in 22 years at the Mountain East Conference Volleyball Tournament. Finishing as the fourth seed in the South Division the Pioneers will face the North Division champion Wheeling University Thursday at 2:30 PM. The MEC tournament will be held in the Wehrle Innovation Center in Charleston, W.Va.

A Look at Wheeling University

Once again Coach Christy Benner's squad has made the MEC Volleyball Tournament. Under Benner's tenure, the Cardinals have been dominant in the conference and region. Wheeling University has made thirteen consecutive NCAA Division II Atlantic Region tournaments. The Cardinals enter Thursday's match with a (23-7) overall record and (15-1) in conference play. Wheeling's only conference loss this season came against the University of Charleston.

Junior Tylah Yeomans has led the Cardinals in kills this season with 380 averaging 3.88 per set. Along with Yeomans, middle blocker Alonda Watkins has been solid this season producing 325 kills which is sixth in the MEC. Karly Niesen during the 2022 campaign has been the main setter for the Cardinals. The Junior from Cincinnati, Ohio has accounted for a conference-high 1,203 assists.

Defensively Wheeling University has been one of the best blocking teams in the conference producing 256 as a team. Allonda Watkins and Mady Winters both have passed the 100-block mark this season and sit inside the top five of the MEC. Watkins leads the team with 111 blocks followed closely by Winters with 110. Sophomore Karly Niesen has accounted for 253 digs.

A Look At Your Lady Pioneers

Glenville enters the tournament with a (16-16) overall record and (5-11) in the MEC. The Lady Pioneers have already matched up with the Cardinals once this season where they fell 3-0. Glenville State is still one of the best-serving teams in the conference and the country. As a team, the Pioneers average 2.2 aces per set which is the best in the conference. In total service aces, Glenville is ranked number two in the nation.

Kataryna Niderla has proven to be an overall offensive threat for the Lady Pioneers during the 2022 campaign. Niderla has produced 399 kills and 66 service aces which puts her in the top two for both statistical categories. Freshman Rita Kelly is off to a great start to her Glenville career. Kelly has accumulated 230 kills which is the second most on the team.

Senior defensive specialist Lindsay Winkler leads the Lady Pioneers in digs this season with 453. Transfer Zoe Schmidt has continued her great stretch of play during the past month. Schmidt in the last two matches produced 23 kills and 18 digs. Glenville's youth has also shined defensively. Freshman Nalaina Funk has led the Pioneers in blocks this season with 94.
Fans can find more information about the 2022 Mountain East Conference Volleyball Championship in the links below.

Championship Central

Tickets

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Players Mentioned

#3 Lindsay Winkler: DS; 5' 5"; Senior

#23 Zoe Schmidt: DS; 5' 8"; Junior

#17 Nalaina Funk: M / RS; 6' 4"; Freshman

#16 Rita Kelly: RS; 6' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#3 Lindsay Winkler
: 5' 5"; Senior
: DS

#23 Zoe Schmidt
: 5' 8"; Junior
: DS

#17 Nalaina Funk
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: M / RS

#16 Rita Kelly
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: RS