Oct. 19, 2002

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - After four grueling games, the Western Carolina volleyball team put away Appalachian State 30-23, 26-30, 30-21, 30-22 Saturday night at the Ramsey Center. With the win, WCU improves to 17-7, 9-3 SoCon and ASU drops to 11-13, 5-7 SoCon.

The Mountaineers took the early lead in the first game, jumping ahead 3-1. However, the Catamounts fought back to take the 4-3 lead on a kill by Sara Komosinski. Western kept the lead for the remainder of the game to win it. In the second, the Cats struggled to keep the game close, tying the score five times, but ASU pulled away after a kill by Stefanie Panzer and two from Chrissy Finch. The Mountaineers remained in the lead and took game two to even the match at 1-1.

After a 1-1 tie to begin game three, the Lady Cats exploded to go on a 12-6 run and eventually lead by as many as 11 points with the score 22-11. The Mountaineers brought the score to within seven points at 26-19, but Western pulled away again on a kill by Michelle Gorton and eventually took the game after a service error by Starla Gustafson.

WCU went on a 5-0 run to start game four, but App State would not go away. The Mountaineers brought the score to within one point at 11-10. The Catamounts would not give up the lead, though, and went on to win game four and the match on a kill by Komosinski.

Komosinski led the Cats with 16 kills and six blocks. She also added five digs. Shari Harder posted 46 assists, breaking the 800 mark for the season, standing at 835. Alex Arendell led the team with 17 digs.

Katherine Dean led the Mountaineers with 18 kills and 40 attacks, adding four blocks. Gustafson had 50 assists and 10 digs. Finch led ASU with 13 digs for the match.

The Catamounts step out of league play as they travel to Asheville to take on the Bulldogs Tuesday (Oct. 22) at 7 pm. App State hosts Georgia Southern Saturday (Oct. 26) at 7 pm.