Defense Highlights WVU’s First Match of the Sunshine State Classic with Program Record for Blocks

Friday, September 4

Fort Myers, Fla.

1 p.m.

West Virginia University

2-1,0-0Big 12

FAU

3-2,0-0American

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
West Virginia	25	16	25	22	15	3
Fla. Atlantic	22	25	18	25	10	2

WVU huddles as they take on FAU in the Sunshine State Classic

Defense Highlights WVU’s First Match of the Sunshine State Classic with Program Record for Blocks

September 04, 2026 07:06 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score Season Stats

By: Farris Murad

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University volleyball team (2-1, 0-0 Big 12) rallied for a thrilling five-set victory over Florida Atlantic (3-1, 0-0 American) on Friday afternoon at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Florida, as part of the Sunshine State Classic. The Mountaineers earned the win by set scores of 25-22, 16-25, 25-18, 22-25 and 15-10.

Defense proved to be the difference for the Mountaineers, who established a pair of program records at the net. West Virginia finished with 21 total blocks and 38 block assists, surpassing the previous records of 18.5 total blocks, set on Oct. 18, 2018, at TCU, and 34 block assists, set on Nov. 11, 2014, against Baylor. The records date back to 2008 when the NCAA scoring format was changed to 25-point rally scoring.

Freshman middle blocker Mirjam Kask totaled 11 blocks on the day, tying for seventh most in a match by any player nationally this season. She cements herself in the program record books as tied for No. 2 in single-match block assists, as well as tied for No. 4 in total blocks.

With the victory, West Virginia has now won 17 of its last 18 nonconference matches and handed the Owls their first loss of the season.

The Mountaineers opened the match with a strong first-set performance, hitting .300 as a team while recording 12 kills. WVU's defense was equally impressive, as the Mountaineers tallied eight blocks in the frame, including four from freshman middle blocker Mirjam Kask. West Virginia used a late push to break away from a 16-16 tie, scoring four consecutive points to take a 20-17 advantage before closing out the set, 25-22.

FAU responded in the second set, taking advantage of a .303 hitting percentage to even the match at 1-1 with a 25-16 victory.

West Virginia regained momentum in the third set, breaking open a close contest with a 7-0 run that turned a 9-9 tie into a 16-9 lead. The Mountaineers continued to build their advantage before taking the set, 25-18. WVU hit .282 in the frame while limiting FAU to a .024 hitting percentage. Freshman outside hitter Macie Smith provided a spark with seven kills and a service ace in the set.

The Owls answered once again in the fourth set, overcoming an early West Virginia lead to take a 15-10 advantage. The Mountaineers battled back to even the score at 18-18, but FAU closed the set on a 7-4 run to force a decisive fifth set.

West Virginia came out firing in the fifth set, jumping ahead 6-1 and forcing an early FAU timeout. The Owls trimmed the deficit to 9-7, but the Mountaineers responded by scoring six of the final nine points to secure the 15-10 victory. Senior outside hitter Nina Horning delivered the final kill to clinch the match.

Horning led the Mountaineers with 16 kills while hitting .316 and finished with a match-high 19 points. Smith added 14 kills and 16.5 points while hitting .282. Senior middle blocker Maddy McGath added nine blocks, and senior setter Alexis Finnvold paced the offense with 35 assists.

The match marked the first meeting between West Virginia and FAU in program history.

The Mountaineers return to action Saturday, Sept. 5, taking on Florida Gulf Coast at 2 p.m. ET at Alico Arena to conclude the Sunshine State Challenge.

For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUVolleyball on Facebook, Instagram and X.