WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. (Sept. 11) – The California (PA) volleyball team started play at the Atlantic Region Crossover with a split of on Friday, earning a 3-0 victory (25-14, 25-22, 25-16) against host West Liberty before dropping a 3-0 loss (25-20, 25-22, 25-19) versus Fairmont State.
NOTES
• The Vulcans (3-6) have played four of their last five matches against Mountain East Conference (MEC) opponents.
• Sophomore
Olivia Weiseman finished with a combined 23 kills on a .246 hitting percentage and 17 digs.
• Junior transfer libero
Tori Newton recorded 37 digs in the two matches on Friday.
vs WEST LIBERTY
• Cal earned its first victory over West Liberty since the 2019 season (the teams also met in 2021 and 2025).
• The Hilltoppers (1-9) tied for first place in the MEC Northern Division last year.
• Weiseman registered a kill/dig double-double with team highs of 14 kills and 11 digs.
• Freshman
Madelyn Salisbury posted seven kills, while sophomore
Alayna Jones added six kills.
• Freshman transfer
Abby Tucker totaled 11 points behind five kills, three service aces and four blocks.
• Freshmen transfers
Gracen Hartman and
Molly Smiddy directed the offense with 19 and 17 assists, respectively.
• Newton tied Weiseman for the team lead with 11 digs and added four service aces versus West Liberty.
vs FAIRMONT STATE
• The Vulcans and Fighting Falcons have now met in three-straight years.
• Fairmont State (8-3) earned an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament last season.
• Weiseman again led the team with nine kills, while Jones and Salisbury both finished with six kills.
• Hartman and Smiddy posted 14 and 12 assists, respectively, in the loss.
• Newton paced the team with 26 digs, her third match with least 25 digs this fall.
NEXT
• Cal continues play at the Atlantic Region Crossover tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 12, when it faces West Virginia State in Wheeling, West Virginia, at 12:30 p.m.
• The Yellow Jackets advanced to the finals of the 2025 MEC Tournament after winning the league championship the previous season.
