CALIFORNIA (Pa.) — The West Virginia Wesleyan volleyball team started its 2023 campaign at the Vulcan Invitational at California University of Pennsylvania this past Friday and Saturday. The Lady Bobcats finished 1-2, with a win against Bloomsburg University and a loss against California University of Pennsylvania and Ohio Dominican University. Wesleyan was led by freshman Emily Denison, who received All-Tournament honors.

Wesleyan started off the Invitational against host California University of Pennsylvania on Friday. This match was very competitive as both teams would trade sets throughout the, leading to a winner-take-all fifth set. The Lady Bobcats were able to take sets two and four, 25-15 and 25-18 ,being led by Denison and senior Makenzie Yates, who shared a combined 34 kills for the entire match. The Vulcans were able to take sets one, three and five. They were led by Bella Buwawa and Rachel Simon. Buwawa had a team high 16 kills and Droneberger had a game high 41 assists. These two strong performances led the Vulcans to a 3-2 win over the Lady Bobcats.

The Lady Bobcats took on Bloomsburg University Saturday morning and this game was very similar to their game against California, where the teams were trading sets the entire match. The Lady Bobcats were able to take sets one, three and five ultimately defeating the Huskies. The Lady Bobcats were led by Hope Arce-Reed who finished the match with 17 total kills and was assisted mainly by Sarah McCall who finished with 47 assists for the match. These two strong performances challenged the Huskies and their star players Emma Antigua and Elise Adelman, who led the way for the Huskies.

In the third game of the Invitational, Saturday afternoon, the Lady Bobcats faced off against Ohio Dominican University. Wesleyan had a sluggish start, which carried over into the entire match and led to them dropping the match 3-0, losing the sets, 25-18, 25-19, and 25-13. Ohio Dominican was led by Lauren Lucas and Saige Avery. Lucas led her team with 10 kills and Avery led assists with 15. For the Lady Bobcats, senior Jayla Cowherd had five kills and freshman Emily Denison finished with six kills.

Denison received All-Tournament honors, and was one of the leaders on the team, having 20 total kills for the Invitational. Makenzie Yates followed close behind, also having 20 kills for the entire tournament.

The Lady Bobcats look to bounce back on Sept. 8 in West Chester, Pa. where the team will be participating in the RAM Fest. Opponents will be Felician University, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.