Wheeling, W. Va. – As the regular season comes to a close, the Wheeling University Volleyball team (14-12, 9-3) is making a strong push to host the 2025 Mountain East Conference (MEC) Volleyball tournament. They kicked off their crucial two weeks with a decisive 3-0 win over Frostburg State.
Frostburg State started the match with the first two points, but the Cardinals quickly turned the tide. Olivia Batch sparked a scoring run with a big kill. Wheeling took control, leading 7-3, thanks in part to two kills from Camryn Matus. Frostburg kept the pressure on, narrowing the gap to just one point at 10-9, but Bella DeBarr answered back with a kill to regain momentum for Wheeling. The first set saw back-and-forth scoring until Frostburg led 20-19. A late push from Wheeling, with DeBarr delivering critical kills, ended the set at 25-20 in Wheeling’s favor.
With the first set secured, Wheeling faced a challenge in set two. Frostburg jumped ahead 10-6, threatening to equalize. However, the dynamic duo of DeBarr and Batch helped tighten the score. After trailing 21-16, Matus ignited a comeback that culminated in Batch earning the set-winning point at 25-23.
In the third set, Frostburg leaped to a quick 3-1 lead, but the Cardinals soon took control. A surge led by Katie Wilking drove Wheeling to a 12-8 advantage that they wouldn’t relinquish. Batch’s continued strong play helped seal a 25-17 win, completing a clean sweep of the match.
Leading the charge for Wheeling was Camryn Matus, who narrowly missed a double-double with 11 kills and 9 digs. Her hitting percentage was a solid .217 for the night. Bella DeBarr also shined with 10 kills, while Olivia Batch kept her efficiency high with nine kills at a .269 percentage. Defensively, Megan Platt led the digs with 13, supported by Batch and Mara McDougal, both reaching double-digit digs as well. The setting duties were handled by Faith Keifer with 20 assists and Lexi Duplessis with 17.
This victory is crucial, especially with three matches remaining in the season. The pressure is mounting, and user reactions on social media reflect the surge of excitement among fans. Many are eager to see how the team will perform in their upcoming challenge against Point Park University on November 7 at 7 PM.
The competition heats up as the Cardinals aim for a strong finish. Recent statistics show that teams with a late-season momentum, like Wheeling, often perform better in tournaments, making every win count. With expert financial analysts suggesting that investing in youth teams like Wheeling’s can yield great returns in community engagement and local support, the stakes are high for not just the players, but the entire campus community.
