WVIAC Tournament Champions

Charleston Ends Wheeling Jesuit's WVIAC Volleyball Dominance; Golden Eagles Take Title Match to Claim Championship
UC wins first volleyball championship, ends WJU's streak against WVIAC opponents at 67 matches
November 13, 2005

Story Courtesy of The WVIAC Online.

SUMMERSVILLE, W.VA, Nov. 13, 2004- The University of Charleston stunned four-time defending champion Wheeling Jesuit 32-30, 30-27, 31-29 to earn the school's first WVIAC Volleyball Tournament championship. The Golden Eagle victory ended a 67-match win streak for WJU against conference opponents dating back to October 2001.

Charleston (31-6) came out strong to build a 15-10 lead in the opening game. WJU (25-15) battled back to even the game at 21 and the squads swapped the edge back-and-forth for the remainder of game one. Bri Jones' kill gave UC a 31-30 lead and a block by Rebecca LaBrake gave UC a 32-30 victory.

A 10-0 run midway through game two boosted the Golden Eagles to a 2-0 lead. WJU led 20-15 after a Laurie Schade smash. However, six WJU hitting errors paired with two Sam Meyer aces put UC up 25-20. The Cards drew even at 27 on a Waleska Carrion kill. A Jones kill and two more WJU attack errors ended the game.

"We thought it was important to get ahead," stated victorious UC head coach Brenda Stevens. "We lost in five at their place and we thought that we could play with them."

Game three featured another tight game with ten ties, the last at 29. A Lauren Christopher tip gave Charleston the lead. A missed Cardinal attack sent the jubilant Golden Eagle bench onto the court to celebrate following the 31-29 game three win.

Jones led UC with 15 kills, while tournament MVP Meyer dished out 41 assists. LaBrake was good for a dozen kills and 13 digs. Bethany Biggs paced Wheeling Jesuit with 15 kills and fellow senior Carrion added 13. Jones added 19 kills for the Golden Eagles.

Vanessa Lepore recorded a match-high 14 digs for the Cardinals.

The teams took different paths to the championship match. Wheeling Jesuit swept Alderson-Broaddus 30-16, 30-26, 30-21 in the first of Saturday's semifinals. Biggs ripped 15 kills in 19 tries to lead the Cards. Charleston survived a tough four-game battle with West Virginia Wesleyan 31-29, 25-30, 30-22, 30-28 behind Brandy Neff's 22 kills.

"They were aggressive," said WJU head coach Christy Benner. "UC is always well-prepared. Our passing was off and they really took us out of our offense."

Benner also praised her standout seniors Biggs and Carrion, who ended their career with three WVIAC regular season titles and three tournament crowns.

"They've been two of the best players that we've had at Wheeling Jesuit. They played their hearts out."

The Golden Eagles earn a bid into next week's NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region Tournament. The tournament host and UC's potential foe will be announced on Monday.

"We'll get to work on that tomorrow (Sunday)," said Stevens. "We want to enjoy this one tonight."

The all-tournament team consisted of: MVP-Sam Meyer (UC), Holly Everhart (Shep), Jackie Murphy (WVWC), Waleska Carrion (WJU), Bobbi Jo Devericks (A-B), Brandy Neff (UC), Kaitlyn Shumate (WVWC), Bri Jones (UC), Leah Wilson (WVSU), Bethany Biggs (WJU), and Latonia Petersheim (A-B).