The No. 22-ranked Gannon volleyball team came up short on Thursday night in the opening match of the Wheeling Invitational, falling 3–1 to host Wheeling inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center.

The Golden Knights battled throughout, including a late push in the fourth set, but the rally fell just short as the Cardinals secured their first win of the 2025 season.

"We feel like we missed an opportunity tonight, but you have to give credit to a winless team that simply outworked us. We were sloppy, and that probably reflects a lack of preparation. I have to own that," said head coach Matt Darling.

THE GAME FACTS
Score: Wheeling 3, No. 22 Gannon 1 (23–25, 25–19, 15–25, 23–25)
Records: Gannon (5-3), Wheeling (1-7)
Location: Wheeling, W.Va. – Alma Grace McDonough Center
Date: September 18, 2025

THE KNIGHT CAP

• Gwiazda leads: Brooke Gwiazda (Frankfort, Ill./Peotone) posted a team-high 14 kills to pace the Gannon attack.
• Supporting offense: Lauren Atwell (Mars, Pa./Mars Area) added eight kills, while Carissa Treser (Sewickley, Pa./North Allegheny) and Nehir Yazicioglu (Ankara, Turkey) each contributed seven. 
• Back row strength: Libero Alexis Fowler (Cranberry Township, PA/Eden Christian Academy) collected 22 digs, while Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian) and Ela Demirel (Marmaris, Turkey/Marmaris Cagdas Bilim High School of Science) chipped in nine digs apiece.
• Efficiency battle: Gannon finished the night hitting .188 as a team, while Wheeling posted a .208 mark.
• Fourth-set fight: The Golden Knights clawed back from a 22–14 deficit to close within 24–23 before Wheeling sealed the match.

UP NEXT
Gannon continues play at the Wheeling Invitational in MEC-Crossover action on Friday, September 19, taking on Fairmont State at 1:00 p.m.
This story was written using the support of AI.