Sept. 6, 2002

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina's women's volleyball team exploded Friday night after falling behind, 1-0, early in the match to take the next three games in their 3-1 defeat of SEC powerhouse Tennessee in the third annual Catamount Clash.

Led by juniors Sara Komosinski, Michelle Gorton, Shari Harder and an energized supporting cast, Western (3-2) came back from being down a game (23-30) to win the next three (30-25, 30-27, 30-24) and give them the victory over Tennessee. The Lady Cats came out with an offensive and defensive attack, scooping up 81 total digs, handing out 73 kills on 192 attack attempts and providing 62 assists. Harder led all players in assists with 43 while Gorton led in kills with 19.

Tennessee (4-1) tried to come back, and came close, in the final three games, but WCU's attack was too much for the Lady Vols. Led by a powerful front line, UT posted 18 blocks for the night and totaled 54 kills on 160 attack attempts. Janelle Hester led all players in attempts with 48 while Julie Knytych led in digs with 21.

"Our girls played phenomenal ball tonight," praised head coach Angell Benson. "They were determined to win the match before they even started. We really wanted to defend our home court.

"Shari set very well tonight and our hitters really stepped up their game. We just played excellent defense and when we play like the way we did tonight, we can beat anybody. I am extremely proud of our team."

The Catamount Clash continues Saturday at 11:00 am when Villanova will face Tennessee. Then at 1, it's Western Carolina versus Villanova, Georgia State against Tennessee at 3 and WCU squares off against GSU at 5 to wrap up the tournament.