Oct. 19, 2004

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina freshman Meredith Harmon recorded a career-high 11 kills while committing only two errors for a single-game best .529 attack percentage, but it was not enough as the Catamounts dropped their second straight, 3-0 (30-23, 30-21, 30-25) to UNC Asheville on Tuesday night in non-conference action.

Western (8-12) also received an 11 kill effort by sophomore Kellyn Thaut. The Hastings, Neb. native added 13 digs and three block assists for the Cats. The Bulldogs (13-13) had one player register a double-double as Talia Ogle finished with duplicate 11 kills and digs in the winning effort.

Game three was the closest of the match as both teams battled to a tie at 20-all. UNCA then ran off six-straight points behind the serve of Jessica Salyers to build an advantage. Western would fight back, however, pulling to within two at 26-24. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs won four of the final five points to secure the three-game sweep.

The loss for Western ended the Cats' seven-match winning streak over the `Dogs dating back to 1997. The win for UNC Asheville also avenged an early-season five-game loss to Western Carolina which gave the Catamounts the tournament championship at the Campbell Volleyball Classic.

Sophomore setter Kate Willard also tallied a double-double for the Catamounts to accompany Thaut's double and Harmon's career-high night. Willard finished with 20 set assists and 13 digs, while junior Ellie Talbot finished with a match-high 22 digs to lead Western defensively. Freshman Melissa Parana missed double-digit kills by one, finishing with nine, but led the team with four block assists at the net.

Western Carolina returns to action on Friday, October 22 as they travel to Statesboro, Ga. to battle the Georgia Southern Eagles in SoCon action. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm.