West Virginia State swept Point Park volleyball on Saturday, October 26, losing the three sets by scores of 25-12, 25-21 and 25-16. 

The Pioneers struggled in the opening set, giving up the first four points and failing to make any sort of push to inch closer to the Yellow Jackets on the scoreboard. Point Park put up four straight points when West Virginia state was one away from winning the match, but the Yellow Jackets were able to get that 25th point to clinch set number one.

“I think that the biggest takeaway from the game is not starting out slow, because it’s hard to dig yourself out of that hole physically and mentally,” senior Eden McElhaney said following the game. “We are good enough to compete with these teams, but we need to come out stronger.”

The second set was more evenly matched, and Point Park was able to keep pace with West Virginia State, even taking the lead a few times. However, the Yellow Jackets were able to tie and then take the lead right back after the Pioneers grabbed a one point lead.

In one such instance, the Pioneers had a 21-20 lead, only for the Yellow Jackets to score five straight, including three aces, to take the win in set two.

Set three started out in a similar back-and-forth fashion as set two. After Point Park tied the score at 7-7, West Virginia State went on a six point run and took a 13-7 lead. 

The Pioneers were able to pick up another point to make it 13-8, only for the Yellow Jackets to go on another six point run to make the score 19-8. 

During each of those runs, West Virginia State’s Baby Moleni got three of her team-leading 10 kills. Moleni ended up tying for the team lead with Hannah Steele.

The Pioneers had a late push in the third set, but it wasn’t enough. The Yellow Jackets were victorious in the set 25-16, winning the match overall 3-0.

Point Park’s loss on Saturday extends the team to  a three game losing streak. Two of those recent losses have come against conference opponents. 

“As a team, we are focused on our communication and energy on the court,” McElhaney said. “It’s an exhausting game not only physically but also mentally, so we are working on relying on each other and moving past points quickly.”

Point Park will return to action against Frostburg State in a Mountain East Conference matchup on October 29, in Frostburg, Maryland at 7 p.m.