By Duane Cochran for FightingFalcons.com

WHEELING, W.Va. -- Since the Mountain East Conference formed in 2013 the only two teams to play for the league's tournament title have been Fairmont State University and Wheeling Jesuit University.

Friday evening both third-seeded FSU and top-seeded WJU rolled to impressive victories in the 2016 MEC semifinals here at the McDonough Center thus guaranteeing that for the fourth straight year the Falcons and Cardinals will square off for the Mountain East Conference Tournament Championship Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Wheeling.

Fairmont reached Saturday's finals thanks to a 3-0 victory over No. 2 seed the University of Charleston Friday night. The Falcons, who won in straight sets 25-13, 25-20 and 25-22, improved to 21-12 on the year and were led by first-team All-MEC selection Mackenzie Harrison, who finished with 15 kills, 11 digs and three blocks.

"As a team we went into this game with the mindset of wanting to reach the finals Saturday," Harrison said. "Winning in three was an amazing feeling for us. As a team, we all played our parts. Everyone contributed. Charleston is really aggressive, but we came ready to play and gave a really good effort.

"As for the finals we've been in this position several times before facing Wheeling. We know we have to play our best. Hopefully we can bring a title home."

FSU also got 29 assists and 12 digs from setter Jessica Furda against UC, nine kills and 15 digs from outside hitter Julie Shemaitis, 19 digs from libero Megan Clerico, five kills and four blocks from middle hitter Breanna Blot and seven kills and four digs from right-side hitter Kayla Smith.

The Falcons out-hit the Golden Eagles in the win .120-.015.

Charleston, which fell to 25-13 with the loss, was led by Shiann White, who finished with nine kills and 12 digs. The Golden Eagles also got 10 assists and 12 digs from Claire Lambert and 13 digs from Kelsey Matusic.

Wheeling Jesuit, the defending NCAA Division II National Champions, eliminated fifth-seeded West Liberty Friday evening 3-0. The Cardinals, who have claimed three straight MEC Tournament titles, won 25-11, 25-20 and 25-15 over the Hilltoppers.