Sept. 11, 2004

Final Stats

WCU-UNC Asheville Final Stats

Buies Creek, N.C. - Western Carolina's Kellyn Thaut and Stefanie Peters each produced double-doubles as the Catamounts won 3-2 (25-30, 30-26, 19-30, 31-29, 15-12) over UNC Asheville at the Campbell Volleyball Classic Saturday evening. It marked the second consecutive five-game match for WCU (3-5) on the day, as the Catamounts defeated host Campbell 3-2 prior the match with the Bulldogs en route to winning the Classic championship.

Thaut and Peters earned All-Classic honors. Thaut led all players in the tournament with 61 kills, while Peters ranked third with 46 kills, while adding 43 digs.

After UNCA won game three, 30-19, the Bulldogs looked to close out the match, leading in game four. However, the Catamounts rallied to pull out a 31-29 decision and force a fifth game, which Western won 15-12.

Peters tallied 17 kills and 13 digs versus UNC Asheville, while Thaut posted 16 kills and 14 digs. Five players for WCU registered double-figure digs for the match, led by Ellie Talbot with 16.

UNC Asheville (3-6) was led by Allison Lambert who totaled 15 kills, followed by Rose Butler and Ashley Wrightenberry who each had 13 kills. Amanda Wille posted 50 assists directing the Bulldog attack. Krysti Havens led the back row with 13 digs, while Lambert had five blocks at the net.

Immediately before the grueling five-game match with UNC Asheville, the Catamounts played a tough five-game match with host team Campbell. Thaut posted a career-high 27 kills and added 17 digs to lead the Catamounts over the Camels, 3-2 (30-26, 26-30, 30-25, 26-30, 15-9).

In addition to Thaut's play, Western's Peters tallied 17 kills and 11 digs. Danielle Spitzer added 10 kills and seven blocks in the effort.

Campbell (2-4) was led by sophomore Tabitha Turner who had 16 kills and junior Alissa Bracken who posted a double-double with 15 kills and 11 digs. Sophomore Rachel Templin rounded out the offensive leaders with 10 kills. Junior Crystal Sieber tallied 28 digs in the match, while sophomore Sarah Dillon posted seven blocks, eight digs, and 39 assists.

"It took a lot of guts to play 10 consecutive games in a five-hour span," said WCU head coach Angell Benson. "We came back in the fourth game versus UNCA and forced a fifth game, which anything can happen at that point. We made some mistakes, but played with a lot of heart and that's why we won. We were forced to play a lot people so this was a team effort."

Western Carolina is scheduled to travel to Florida next week to play in the University of Central Florida Tournament in Orlando. Depending upon the weather, the Cats are set to play South Alabama on Sept. 17 at 4:30 am, Georgia on Sept. 18 at 11:00 am and Central Florida on the 18th at 7 pm.