INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The Fairmont State University women's volleyball team faced the University of Charleston in the first quarterfinal matchup of the Mountain East Conference Tournament. The Falcons fell to the Golden Eagles, 3-1.

Charleston opened the first set with a strong attack and jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Fairmont State tried to climb back into the set but the Golden Eagles were to expand the lead to six points (11-5). Joey Borelle registered a kill that sparked a 6-1 run that forced a UC timeout as the difference was just one (13-12).

The two teams went back-and-forth over the next several points until the Golden Eagles won three-straight to lead 19-15 and forcing an FSU timeout. Following an exchange of points, Charleston opened a 22-16 lead and went on to a 25-19 set win.

Borelle started things off for the Falcons in the second set with a kill but the Golden Eagles took the next three points. Fairmont State was able to trim the margin to two but three-consecutive points by Charleston forced a timeout with an 8-3 lead. Out of the timeout, FSU won the next four points including a solo block from Chloe McDaniel.

UC stretched the lead back to three (10-7) but the Falcons claimed the next three to even the set at 10. The Golden Eagles were able to garner a slight advantage until Fairmont State went on a 5-1 run with two kills from Josie Nobbe and Baylie Ostvig to take a 16-14 lead and forced a timeout. FSU continued its run and opened a five-point lead (19-14). Charleston cut into the lead and eventually tied the set at 23. A big swing by Borelle followed by an error by the Golden Eagles gave the Falcons the second set, 25-23.

In the third set, neither team wanted to give ground, however Fairmont State pulled ahead, 5-3. Charleston responded with an 11-2 run to take the lead, 14-7. The Falcons were able to win three of the next four points to make the difference five (15-10).

FSU was able to slowly fight its way back into the set and after kills by Borelle and Ostvig, UC called a timeout with the score 22-21 in favor of the Eagles. Out of the timeout, Charleston won the final three points to take the set, 25-21 and lead the match, 2-1.

Charleston carried its momentum over from the third set and raced out to a 9-2 lead. The Golden Eagles held a strong grip on the lead and eventually pushed out to a 12-point advantage (19-7). The Falcons tried to cut into the lead but were unable to overcome the deficit as they fell in the final set, 25-12.

Baylie Ostvig finished with a match-high 17 kills. Joey Borelle totaled 14 kills and 20 digs as Josie Skinn corralled 12 digs. Kelsie Dangerfield assisted on 25 assists with another 13 from Belle DeVall.

Fairmont State finished the year with an 18-13 record and went 7-7 in conference play.