WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. -- The Fairmont State University women's volleyball team hit the road to face West Liberty University. The Falcons fell in a tightly contested five-set match to the Hilltoppers by the scores of 28-30, 25-21, 25-19, 16-25 and 16-14.

Baylie Ostvig paced the attack with 23 kills with another double-double posted by Joey Borelle with 21 kills and digs. Natalie Zemba and Ostvig each finished with six blocks as Gabi Smith added another four. Kelsie Dangerfield totaled 36 assists while Josie Skinn corralled 31 digs.

To open the first set, Fairmont State held the early lead before West Liberty evened the score at four. The two sides went back-and-forth until the Falcons gained a 17-14 advantage. The Hilltoppers won the next four points to hold a one-point edge (18-17). Both teams exchanged small runs but a 5-1 run by the hosts put them at set point, 25-24. After a flurry of points, West Liberty remained one point away from taking the set but three straight kills by Borelle claimed the first set for Fairmont State, 30-28.

In the second set, the Hilltoppers raced out to an early lead, 12-3. The Falcons were able to slowly chip away at the deficit including a 6-2 run that made it a three-point difference (23-20). Unfortunately, that was the closest the team got and fell in the set, 25-21.

Similar to the first, Fairmont State was able to hold an early lead, 9-5. However, West Liberty used a 9-2 stretch to go in front, 14-11. The Falcons were able to respond with five of the next six points with two-straight blocks by Ostvig and Smith to take a 16-15 lead. The Hilltoppers then took control of the set by winning 10 of the final 13 points to claim the set, 25-19.

Down 2-1, the Falcons were able to grasp the early lead 8-4. West Liberty narrowed the margin to one (9-8) before Fairmont State went on a 12-1 run to take control of the set, 21-9. The visitors were able to force a fifth set with a 25-16 win.

West Liberty gained the early lead in the set, 10-6, but six-straight points to the Falcons gave them a 12-10 lead. The Hilltoppers claimed the next three points but a kill from Cayden Anschutz followed by an error by the hosts put Fairmont State just one point from winning the set and the match. An error by the Falcons evened the set at 14 then a kill and block by West Liberty closed out the set and the match.

Fairmont State heads to Point Park University on Wednesday, November 13 for the final road match of the regular season. Start time is set for 7:00 p.m.