NORTH CANTON, OH: Walsh Volleyball battled throughout four sets on Saturday afternoon but ultimately fell to the University of Charleston (WV), 3-1, inside the Aux Gym. The Cavaliers took the opening set 25-22 before Charleston responded by taking the next three sets, 25-19, 25-22 and 25-22.
The Cavaliers came out strong in the opening set, jumping out to an early 4-0 advantage. Walsh continued to control the pace, building a 9-1 lead before Charleston began to battle back. The Golden Eagles closed the gap late, but a kill from Maria Montseny gave the Cavs set point at 24-19. After Charleston scored three straight points, Walsh closed out the set, 25-22, to take a 1-0 lead.
Charleston answered quickly in the second set, opening with a 4-0 advantage and eventually extending the lead to 10-3. The Maroon and Gold fought back, using a stretch of strong offensive play to pull even at 15-15. The Golden Eagles regained control late, however, scoring eight of the final 12 points to take the second set, 25-19.
The third set was a back-and-forth battle. Charleston held an early 7-5 lead before extending the advantage to 11-7. Walsh responded with a strong run, eventually taking a 12-11 lead behind consecutive kills from Izzy Shank and Montseny. The teams continued to trade points, with the set tied at 20-20 before Charleston edged ahead. The Golden Eagles closed the set with three of the final four points to win 25-22 and take a 2-1 match lead.
Charleston carried the momentum into the fourth set, jumping ahead 7-2 which ultimately gave them the advantage to secure the 3-1 match victory.
Walsh falls to 7-5 overall and will be back in the Aux Gym on Tuesday for a non conference match vs Cal PA.
LOCATION: The Cecchini Center
SCORE: Charleston 3 - Walsh 1
RECORDS: Walsh 7-5, Charleston 8-8
FOR THE CAVS