Volleyball sweeps Charleston on the road, earns first win over UC since joining MEC
GLENVILLE, W.Va. – The Glenville State Volleyball team earned its second Mountain East Conference victory of the season tonight (Sept. 29), sweeping University of Charleston 3-0 on the road. The Pioneers won by scores of 25-15, 25-17, and 25-22, improving to (8-7, 2-2 MEC) on the year. The victory marked Glenville State’s first win over UC since joining the MEC and breaks an 18-year losing streak against the Golden Eagles.
The opening set featured a competitive start as the teams worked through seven ties before Glenville State began to create separation. Trailing 7-6, the Pioneers rattled off six consecutive points to take a 12-7 advantage. Juliana Nunez and Gracie Brown supplied kills during the run, while Ryann Landis added a solo block. GSU continued to build its lead through the middle of the frame, extending the margin to 18-10. With the Pioneers ahead 19-13, a Nunez kill sparked another five-point stretch that included two service aces from Deniz Selen Yazar. Charleston fought off two set points before Mylani Jackson delivered the final kill to secure the 25-15 victory.
Charleston responded early in the second set, overcoming a 2-0 deficit to move ahead 5-2. Glenville State remained close before taking control with eight consecutive points, turning a 7-5 deficit into a 13-7 lead. Brown powered the surge with four kills, while Nunez and Landis each contributed one. The blue and white continued to apply pressure, stretching the advantage to 18-10 before moving ahead 24-14. The Golden Eagles scored three straight points to extend the frame, but a Charleston service error gave GSU a 25-17 victory and a 2-0 match lead.
Glenville State carried its momentum into the third set, using consecutive Jackson kills to take an early 4-2 advantage. The Pioneers pushed the lead to 12-7 and later 19-13, but Charleston began to chip away. After GSU moved ahead 20-15, the Golden Eagles scored four unanswered points to pull within one. Selen Yazar ended the run with a kill, and a Charleston attack error restored a three-point Pioneer advantage. The hosts continued to battle, narrowing the deficit to 22-21 and again to 23-22. A Golden Eagle service error brought up match point before Selen Yazar finished the sweep with an ace, sealing the 25-22 victory.
Final Stats
Charleston
Divine Muo and Kate Strong paced the Golden Eagles with seven kills apiece, followed by Patrycja Majos with six. London Upchurch recorded 18 assists, while Caydence Franz added eight. Sahana Rajesh led Charleston defensively with 15 digs, and Madison Easton finished with a team-high three blocks. The Golden Eagles totaled 30 kills, 50 digs, six blocks, and four service aces.
Glenville State
Juliana Nunez led the Pioneers with a match-high 15 kills on a .353 hitting percentage and added 12 digs. Gracie Brown also recorded 12 kills and 12 digs. Deniz Selen Yazar contributed seven kills while hitting .545, supplying all three of Glenville State’s service aces and a team-high two blocks. Irmak Bezek directed the offense with 37 assists. Brenan Harvey matched Brown and Nunez with 12 digs. GSU finished with 44 kills and 70 digs, hitting .214 while holding Charleston to a .098 mark.
Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers return to the Waco Center tomorrow (Sept. 30) to host Ursuline in a non-conference matchup. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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