Volleyball: Mountaineers Win Five-Set Thriller
September 18, 2009 09:50 PM | General
By Kelly Tuckwiller for MSNsportsNET.com
September 18, 2009
Results
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University volleyball team defeated Wright State in a five-set thriller this evening, in the first match of the WVU Invitational.
The Mountaineers improved to 8-3 on the season after the 3-2 (25-20, 18-25, 25-17, 17-25, 15-13) victory over the Raiders (7-4).
WVU started set one with a 3-0 run after a kill from sophomore Kylie Armbruster, followed by a block from juniors Lauren Evans and Andrea Miller. The Mountaineers went on to dominate the rest of the set with 17 kills and 15 digs.
Wright State rebounded in the second set with 15 kills to outscore the Mountaineers. However, in set three, the Mountaineers bounced back to start with six-straight points, including three block assist from Evans. WVU continued to dominate as a kill from Armbruster secured the set.
The Raiders once again responded in the fourth set after 6-0 run gave them the advantage. Despite their best efforts, the Mountaineers dropped the set after a kill from Wright State’s Lexi Leonard.
A kill by Evans put the Mountaineers on the board first in the fifth set, but Wright State carried the momentum as they went on several runs to gain the lead. With the score 5-9, in favor of the Raiders, junior Abby Norman landed a kill that sent the Mountaineers on a 4-0 run to tie the set. Then, after an attack error by the Raiders, followed by a service ace from senior Kristina Gallahan, the Mountaineers regained their composure. Evans then ended the match with a kill.
Leading the Mountaineers in the win was Evans who posted a season-high 16 kills and a .333 hitting percentage. WVU had two players with double-doubles as Armbruster posted 12 kills and 11 digs and sophomore setter Kari Post recorded 46 assists and 16 digs.
Junior Libero Bonnie West also played well with a season-high 27 digs.
As a team the Mountaineers posted an outstanding 59 kills, 80 digs and 17 team blocks.
The Mountaineers are set to return to action on Saturday, with a 2 p.m. match against Princeton.
