WHEELING, W.Va. -- The Fairmont State (13-12, 6-4 Mountain East Conference) volleyball team fell in three sets to the MEC North leaders, Wheeling (18-6, 9-1 MEC), on Tuesday (Oct. 24) night at the Alma Grace McDonough Center in Wheeling, W.Va.

Ellie Zuro led the Falcons offensively with seven kills. Natalie Zemba poured in six kills to go along with a service ace and three blocks. Cayden Anschutz and Jaianna Bouarouy each handed out 11 assists. Josie Skinn hustled down 14 digs to lead FSU.

The Cardinals utilized a 6-0 scoring run to create a 14-4 lead in the opening set of the match. Fairmont State amassed a three-point scoring run that included kills by Zemba and Emma Ludwig to trim the deficit to seven points. The Cardinals rolled to a 25-9 set one win and claimed 10 of the final 11 rallies of the set.

Wheeling harnessed the momentum from the first set and jumped out to a 15-4 lead in the second frame. Josie Nobbe stopped a 7-0 Wheeling scoring run with a pair of kills and Zemba notched a block solo to put the Falcons within eight points at 15-7. The 'Cards seized control of the set after taking five-straight points and finished off set two with a 25-10 win.

Fairmont State fired off four-consecutive points after kills by Zemba and Zuro and a pair of combo blocks that featured Nobbe and Ludwig to put the Falcons in front, 6-1. The Falcons extended their lead to six points after a Wheeling attack error that made the score 10-4. Wheeling rallied and earned its first lead of the set at 15-14. The two teams traded the next six rallies and the score favored the Cardinals at 18-17. After Wheeling extended its lead to two points, Alexa Martin and Zemba swung for back-to-back kills to even the count at 19-19. The Falcons went back in front after a Joey Borelle kill and a combo block by Zemba and Zuro. Zuro earned her seventh kill of the night to keep the Falcons in the lead, 22-21. Wheeling ripped off a 3-0 run and held match point at 24-22. A Cardinals' attack error and a service ace by Zemba tied the score, 24-24. Tylah Yeomans collected the final two kills of the match and gave her team a 26-24 set three victory.

The Fairmont State volleyball team returns to Joe Retton Arena on Friday (Oct. 27) after concluding its three-game road trip. The Falcons will welcome Concord to Fairmont on Friday night at 7 p.m.