The Wheeling University Volleyball team opened the Wheeling Invitational with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Gannon on Thursday night. This win improves Wheeling’s record to 4-6 for the season and marks their first victory against Gannon since 2018.
The match began with intense competition. Gannon took the first two points of the opening set, but Cami Black quickly responded for Wheeling with a kill. This sparked a 3-0 run, giving the Cardinals a brief 3-2 lead. Gannon regained the advantage at 5-4, but Katie Wilking’s kill ignited a strong 6-1 run for Wheeling. The Cardinals maintained their lead, extending it to 23-16 before Gannon rallied back with five consecutive points. However, a couple of attack errors by Gannon allowed Wheeling to clinch the first set 25-21.
The second set mirrored the first, with Gannon again scoring first. Wheeling responded with a 3-0 run, eventually taking a 2-0 lead in sets. Despite Gannon’s attempts to equalize throughout the set, Wheeling pulled ahead after a kill by Wilking. The set ended 25-21, giving the Cardinals a two-set advantage.
In the third set, both teams exchanged points, but Gannon surged ahead with an 8-1 run, leading 16-9. Wheeling fought back late in the set, but Gannon secured a 25-19 victory, keeping their hopes alive.
The fourth set was tightly contested. Wheeling fell behind 20-17 but rallied with a 4-0 run, taking the lead at 21-20. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Gannon responded strongly, winning the set 25-22 and forcing a decisive fifth set.
In the final set, Wheeling established an early lead with a kill from Mady Winters. They maintained momentum, going up 9-6 before Cami Black served. This marked a turning point as Wheeling scored the final seven points of the match. Kindall had three critical kills during this run, including the match-winning shot at 15-6.
Katie Wilking led the Cardinals with 19 kills and a hitting percentage of .471, tying her career high. Riley Kindall and Mady Winters each contributed 15 kills. Kindall also recorded her third double-double of the season with 19 digs. Karly Niesen was pivotal in the passing game, notching 55 assists and two kills.
Wheeling University Volleyball will continue its campaign on Friday, September 20, against Shippensburg, with the match scheduled to begin at 4 PM.
