Volleyball

Charleston Downs Wheeling Jesuit
November 12, 2005

By Will Prewiitt

Courtesy of The WVIAC Online

(CHARLESTON, W.VA)-The University of Charleston (26-9) earned their second straight WVIAC Volleyball Tournament championship by downing Wheeling Jesuit (21-17) in four games.  The Golden Eagles earn a bid to next week's NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament with the victory.

UC dropped the first game, but roared back to take the next three and will likely make a trip to Rockhurst University in Kansas City for next week's regional. 

Charleston grabbed control of the match after winning the pivotal third game 31-29.  The teams swapped the lead back and forth in the emotionally charged game.  WJU held the game's largest lead at 21-17, but UC rallied back with four straight to knot the score. 

The Cardinals held their final lead of game three at 29-28 following a UC net violation.  Two kills by tournament MVP Rebecca LaBrake sandwiched around a WJU error gave the Golden Eagles a 2-1 lead.

UC used the momentum to grab a 10-2 edge opening the final game.  A pair of Ashleigh Fitterer aces, along with two Roslyn Adams kills, enabled the Golden Eagles to build the lead.

The lead grew into double figures at 15-5 on LaBrake smash.  WJU cut the margin to nine on three occasions, but could come no closer as UC built a final margin of 30-15.

Wheeling Jesuit ended game one on an 8-0 run for a 30-22 win.  The Cards took advantage of a two UC violations and three hitting errors to close out the game.

LaBrake was the standout in game two with three kills and two aces in UC's 30-23 victory.

The victory gives Charleston a season sweep of their two matches versus Wheeling Jesuit.  The Cards have won 86 of their past 89 matches versus league foes, but have dropped three straight versus Charleston.

“We match up well with Wheeling,” said victorious coach Brenda Stevens.  “The teams are similar with big, powerful hitters.  We do better against teams like that and don't do as well against the small, quick teams.”

Wheeling Jesuit was led by Jessica Castmore and Ashley Newcomer's 12 kills apiece.  Laurie Schade had eight kills and five blocks for the Cards.

Charleston, who outhit Wheeling Jesuit .189-.088, got 18 kills and 14 digs from LaBrake.  Katy Skelley added 11 kills and a match-high eight blocks.  Adams chipped in with a double-double of 10 kills and 14 digs.

LaBrake was joined on the all-tournament team by teammates Skelley and Sam Meyer.  Wheeling Jesuit was represented by Newcomer and Schade.  Taryn Haas (WV State), Kristan Ashbrook (Ohio Valley), Tiffany Board (Fairmont State), Susanna Hill (Shepherd), Stephanie Harwood (West Virginia State), and Jackie Murphy (WV Wesleyan).