ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University volleyball team took down West Virginia State in four sets Thursday night at Carter Center in a Mountain East Conference contest.

After dropping the first set 25-23, the Mountain Lions (16-9, 8-3 MEC) answered with three straight set wins over WVSU (10-11, 6-5 MEC) by scores of 25-15, 25-18, 25-23.

For the match, Concord hit .243, including marks of .290 and .379 in the middle games. The CU block was shutout in the first set, but recorded 12 blocks over the final three sets as the Mountain Lions held West Virginia State to .116 hitting.

Concord controlled the second set as it never trailed and opened up a 19-10 lead after a solo block from junior right side Maddie Stull capped a 7-1 run. West Virginia State only got as close eight points for the remainder of the set as senior outside hitter Meg Williams tallied one of her match-high 19 kills to end the set, and tie the contest at 1-1.

The opening stages of the third was tightly contested until the Mountain Lions reeled off seven straight points to grab a 16-9 advantage. In run, Williams and senior middle hitter Jasmine Anderson teamed up on two kills and three blocks. The Yellow Jackets got as close as 16-12, but a kill from Stull and a WVSU attack error restored a six-point lead as Concord went on to win by seven points.

The fourth set appeared it would be more of the same as the Mountain Lions were cruising with a 18-9 lead after another Williams' kill. However, West Virginia State began to inch its way back into the set, eventually getting to within 23-22. Williams pushed the lead to back to two with a kill, but WVSU answered. With a second match point, Stull put the match away with her ninth kill.

CU was the one that chased the first set as it rallied from down 12-7 to tie the set at 16-16. But, West Virginia State made more plays down the stretch to win by two points, even though Concord fought off three set points.

Williams was the only CU player with double-digit kills. She tallied a double-double as she rolled up 10 digs. Senior outside hitter Chloe Thompson just missed a double-double with eight kills and 11 digs.

Senior setter Paige Richmond was also near a double-double with 25 assists and eight digs. Senior libero Allie Davis threw in 19 digs.

Stull added five blocks to go with nine kills. Sophomore middle hitter Addie Adkins went for a team-best six blocks.

Freshman setter Camden Hayslett registered a career-high 17 assists in the final three sets.

Concord hosts Fairmont State in a battle of MEC Division leaders 7:00 p.m. Friday.