LYNCHBURG, Va. (Sept. 13, 2024) – East Tennessee State University volleyball defeated West Virginia 3-1 for the first time in program history to conclude the Liberty Invitational on a high note after falling to the host Flames 3-0 earlier in the day.

Junior middle blocker Whitley Rammel and junior outside hitter Brianna Cantrell led the way against West Virginia, tallying 13 kills each. Cantrell had her first double-double of the season, adding ten kills, and Rammel hit .571 while notching seven blocks.

In the opening match, the Flames won in straight sets. ETSU only managed 18 kills throughout the match, as the Bucs did not break 20 points in an individual set.?

ETSU rebounded against the Mountaineers, winning the first set 25-21. WVU took an early lead and maintained it for most of the set. However, the Bucs clawed back, tying the set at 20 on a block from Cantrell and Rammel. Senior setter Reese Rhodes delivered an ace to give the Bucs the 21-20 lead. Cantrell closed the set four points later with a kill.

West Virginia attempted to regain momentum in the second set. The two squads played even to a 13-13 tie before the Mountaineers went on their only run, closing out the set on a 12-3 sprint to level the match at one set apiece.

The Bucs shook off the ending to the second set in the third, starting on a 7-1 run behind Cantrell's serve. West Virginia drew within two points twice, but a kill from redshirt freshman middle blocker Gianna Blair led to an ace from freshman outside hitter Makayla Bays to give ETSU a 12-8 lead that the Bucs extended. Despite allowing WVU to draw back within three points at 24-21, senior right side Jenna Forster cinched the set with a kill.

Bays served ETSU to a 6-0 lead in the final set with a pair of aces and help from Cantrell and Rhodes. The Bucs forced both Mountaineer timeouts early in the set, drawing the second with a 13-6 lead. WVU inched closer but never got within less than three points of the lead, as Rammel and Forster capped off the set with a block.

Sophomore libero Melanie Morris was critical defensively, setting a career single-game high with 19 digs, and Rammel recorded her 250th career kill in the match.

The win marks the first over an active Big 12 team and third overall (ETSU's two wins over UCF came before the Knights joined the conference). It's the 19th Power 4/5 win for ETSU all-time and West Virginia is the tenth different high-major team the Bucs have triumphed over.

Next, the Bucs head to the Queen City Invite and open play at 10 a.m. on Sept. 20 vs. North Carolina Central.