Nov. 5, 2003

Final Stats

Johnson City, Tenn. - East Tennessee State used a pivotal win in game four as the Buccaneers defeated Western Carolina, 3-2, Tuesday evening at Brooks Gym. ETSU (7-19, 5-9 SoCon) remains a half game behind the Catamounts (13-14, 5-8 SoCon) in the North Division standings after the Bucs defeated WCU by scores of 22-30, 30-24, 23-30, 39-37, 15-11.

The Cats led by as many as seven points in game four, 20-13, but ETSU responded by rattling off six consecutive points to make the score 22-20 in favor of Western Carolina. After withstanding 20 ties and 11 different lead changes in game four alone, the Buccaneers prevailed with the 39-37 decision.

Western's Shari Harder finished the night with a triple-double by tallying 10 kills, 20 digs, and 54 assists. Harder also recorded a match-high .444 attack percentage. Ellie Talbot led the Catamounts with 21 digs on the defensive side of the net, while four players registered double digits in kills, led by Heather Koontz (14). Freshman Kellyn Thaut followed closely behind Koontz and ended up with 13 kills in just three games played. Michelle Gorton picked up eight of the team's 15 blocks, as the Catamounts out-blocked their opponent 15-8.

The Buccaneers boasted five players with double digits in kills, led by 20 kills from Lissa Allen. Kate Steidle registered 18 kills, followed by Karen Freeburg, who tallied 14 kills and 23 digs, which gave Freeburg her team-leading seventh double double of the season on top of a match-high four service aces. Kelsey Sherich and Sara Scandiffio rounded out the Buc offense with 12 and 11 kills, respectively.

Natalie Pittenger paced the ETSU defense with 30 digs. Kristi Robinson put together an impressive performance as well with 15 digs and 71 assists - just one assist shy of the school record. Meanwhile, Andrea Piercy recorded 12 digs.

Western Carolina will be at Elon on Nov. 7 and UNCG on Nov. 8, prior to wrapping up its regular-season with a three-match home swing.