GLENVILLE, W.Va. – The Glenville State Volleyball team split the final day of the GSU Tournament yesterday (Sept. 6), pushing their record to (3-1) early in the year. The Pioneers were swept by undefeated Carson-Newman but won a thrilling five-set match against West Virginia Wesleyan.
Game One – GSU 0 | CNU 3
The Pioneers matched up with Carson-Newman to start out day two of the GSU Tournament. The first set did not start in favor of the blue and white as they saw themselves down 5-0 early, and 14-4, however GSU went on a quick four-to-nothing run to cut the deficit to 14-8. It wouldn't get any closer in set one, losing 25-11. Set two began similarly, but a
Kaiya Lian kill made the score 6-4 in favor of the Eagles, and CNU would respond by winning the next six points and putting themselves out in front for good, winning the second set, 25-17. Set three saw Carson-Newman continue to keep the pedal down as they scored seven of the first ten points and build a lead that would end up being insurmountable for the blue and white, falling 25-13, and losing the match, 3-0.
Final Stats
Carson-Newman
Annie Dziczkowski led the Eagles with 11 kills, Maddie Hurst had ten and three other players tied with five each while Blair Cherry recorded 28 assists in the match. Bella Cardello had six blocks and Hurst had five with Emerson Ahsmuhs notching 15 digs to lead the team. Trinity Hafey also chipped in with 11 in the win.
Glenville State
Kaiya Lian paced the Pioneers with seven kills while
Rita Kelly had five and
Mikayla Curry added four.
Irmak Bezek was the leading setter with eight assists and
Elitsa Peneva recorded six.
Cali Queen led the Pioneers in digs with 10.
Game Two – GSU 3 | WVWC 2
In the nightcap, the Pioneers took on the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats in a non-conference matchup to wrap up a volleyball-filled weekend in the Waco Center. The Pioneers came out strong in the first set and looked excited to avenge their earlier defeat, as GSU was up 10-2 after a
Sadie Hill service ace. WVWC would attempt to climb back into the set but the lead was too much with Glenville State winning the opening set, 25-17. In set two, a five-to-nothing run by the Bobcats in the middle stages proved to be too much, winning by a score of 25-23. In a very pivotal set three, GSU raced out to a 6-1 lead after a
Deniz Selen Yazar kill, and the Pioneers continued to build on their lead throughout, winning the set 25-18 and taking a 2-1 lead in the match.
Set four was closely contested in the early stages with both teams not giving any ground, however a Wesleyan four-to-zero run put the score at 19-14 and put the set out of reach as the Bobcats took set four. 25-17, and tying the match 2-2 heading into the fifth and final set. With both teams looking to get a jump in the last set of the match, the Pioneers controlled the game early, winning six of the first seven points, however WVWC would win five straight points to tie the game at six-all. Back and forth both teams went but it would be the Pioneers who won seven of the last nine points, earning a hard-fought victory, 15-11, and 3-2 in the match.
Final Stats
West Virginia Wesleyan
MacKenna Halfin led the Bobcats with 18 kills while Bhrooke Axe recorded 13 and Emily Denison had seven. Claire Wheeler had 28 assists and Lacey Gutherie had 17 while Alexis Moeschler finished with 17 digs.
Glenville State
Mikayla Curry and
Rita Kelly paced the Pioneers with 12 kills each, while
Kaiya Lian had 10 and
Cali Queen had seven. Both setters were effective as
Elitsa Peneva had 27 assists and
Sadie Hill had 20.
Ava O'Hare had 18 digs to lead the back line.
Up Next For The Pioneers
GSU will hit the road on Tuesday (Sept. 9) and head to Beckley to take on WVU Tech. The match is slated to start at 7 p.m.
