BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — Payton Hefner connected on four service aces, as the West Virginia Wesleyan volleyball team (2-12, 2-3 Mountain East Conference) dropped a 3-0 home match to Fairmont State (14-5, 4-1 MEC) at the Rockefeller Center.
 
WVWC Leaders
Lexis Tatum smashed 10 kills, leading Wesleyan. Michela Ayers put down eight kills. In addition to Hefner’s four aces, Tatum, Anaya Hyman and Makenzie Yates contributed a service ace each to give the Lady Bobcats seven aces as a team. Hefner added17 assists and six digs to her stat line. Autumn Molenhouse snatched 11 digs. Joelle Lalla totaled two block solos and three block assists.
 
Fairmont State Leaders
Julia DiPaola had a game-high 15 kills and 13 digs. Setter Lilianna Keber notched 30 assists and two service aces. Emma Ludwig tallied five block assists.
 
Inside Set One
With the score tied at seven, DiPaola launched three consecutive kills to put Fairmont State ahead, 10-7. The Bobcats cut the deficit to two points on the next play. The Falcons claimed the next four points to pull ahead 14-8.
 
Fairmont State increased their lead to eight points following a 5-3 run. The Lady Bobcats responded with a 4-1 run to make the score 20-15 in favor of Fairmont State. The Falcons closed out the first set by winning the final five points.
 
Inside Set Two
The Lady ‘Cats were trailing 6-5 when a kill from Jayla Cowherd tied the set at six. The Bobcats won the ensuing two points to gain an 8-6 lead. The Falcons took the next three points and regained a 9-8 lead. Michela Ayers put Wesleyan ahead 10-9 after a kill.
 
The Lady Bobcats ignited an 8-3 run and claimed an 18-12 lead late in the second set. The Falcons climbed back into the set with a 9-3 run to tie the score at 21. Sarah McCall assisted Ayers on the next play to put Wesleyan ahead, 22-21. A Falcon attack error increased Wesleyan’s lead, 23-21. Fairmont State won the next three points and had the serve for set point. A kill from Hyman tied set two, 24-24. The teams traded the next two points. Fairmont State prevailed and won set two, 27-25.
 
Inside Set Three
The Falcons won 12 out of the first 16 points to open up the third frame. Consecutive aces from Hefner cut Fairmont State’s lead to four at 13-9. The Falcons went on a 5-1 run to pull ahead 18-10. The Bobcats trailed Fairmont State 22-18 late in the third set. But the Falcons won the final set, 25-18.
 
Up Next
The Lady Bobcats will be back at the Rockefeller Center on Thursday versus Frostburg State.

The first serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.