Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina had three players record double-doubles and another set a pair of career-highs, but it was not enough as The Citadel Bulldogs outlasted the Catamounts, 3-2 (21-30, 30-14, 26-30, 30-22, 12-15) Sunday afternoon in Southern Conference action from the Ramsey Activity Center.
Western (6-10, 2-5) was led by the match-high 21 kills from sophomore Kellyn Thaut, who hit .356 for the Catamounts in the losing effort. The Citadel, who picked up its first win in seven tries in the Southern Conference, was led by senior Audra Ritchie, who finished with 16 kills and a pair of solo blocks. The Bulldogs also received a double-double performance from junior Samantha Parisi with 12 kills and 22 digs.
In the first game, the Catamounts fell behind 14-7, prompting head coach Angell Benson to call a timeout. Out of the break, WCU was able to rally back to within four at 19-15 on a Thaut kill. However, The Citadel was able to maintain poise and take game one, 30-21, despite the efforts of Western Carolina freshman Melissa Parana, who tallied eight kills in the opener.
Game two seesawed back-and-forth before the Catamounts were able to take control after tying at nine apiece. Back-to-back kills by Layna Stoetzel and Stefanie Peters gave Western a 13-9 lead. After a Bulldog timeout, the Cats continued the onslaught, pushing the advantage to 17-14 before finishing off the game, evening the match at one with the 30-14 victory.
The third game was tight throughout. The Citadel's Ritchie gave the Bulldogs a lead they would not relinquish on a kill, breaking the 19-19 tie. The closest Western would get down the stretch would be within two at 26-24. However, Ritchie finished off the game three with a kill, 30-26.
Feeling the urgency, the Catamounts opened up game four with five unanswered points, building the 5-0 lead behind the service of Meghan Boyle. WCU held on to take the 30-22 victory, forcing a fifth game. In the deciding frame, neither team could take an apparent advantage until back-to-back kills by Parasi gave the `Dogs a 12-10 lead. The Catamounts rallied to pull within one at 13-12, but a pair of WCU errors sealed the deal for The Citadel, 15-12.
In addition to Thaut, Parana tallied 17 kills, with senior Stefanie Peters recording 16 kills and a team-high 15 digs in the losing effort for the Catamounts. Another freshman, middle blocker Meredith Harmon, finished with career-highs in kills with 10 and in blocks, swatting four solo. WCU totaled seven total team blocks on the afternoon.
Catamount setters Boyle and Kate Willard combined for 56 of WCU's 65 assists, dishing out 36 and 20, respectively. Willard added 12 digs defensively for the Cats, with Robyn Everly rounding out the double-digit performers with 10 digs.
Western Carolina continues their current four-match home stand this Tuesday, October 12 as they host the Wofford Terriers in Southern Conference action. Match-time is slated for 7:00 pm at the Ramsey Activity Center. The Citadel returns home to step out of conference play, hosting Fayetteville State on Thursday, October 14.
