Oct. 29, 2005

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina was unable to derail the Southern Conference's only unbeaten, falling in straight sets to the College of Charleston, 3-0 (30-19, 30-17, 30-16) in SoCon volleyball action Saturday evening in historic Reid Gym.

Western (6-20, 5-9 SoCon) was led by junior transfer, Krista Neumann, with 10 kills, adding eight digs. Sophomore Meredith Harmon killed seven, with senior Ellie Talbot and juniors Meghan Boyle and Heather Koontz all tallying four apiece. Libero Kate Willard led the team with 13 digs, and Koontz tallied a dozen in the loss.

After taking a 1-0 lead in game one off a Talbot kill, the College of Charleston (23-1, 14-0 SoCon) managed to inch ahead of Western little by little, crawling out to an 11-6 advantage. WCU hung tough, however, rallying with three-consecutive points to pull to within a pair, 11-to-9. The Cougars would steadily pull away, though, breaking open a 21-17 game with a 9-to-2 run to win, 30-19, and take the 1-0 advantage.

Game two was nip-and-tuck into double-digits as neither team could manage a lead more than a couple of points. Yet, the Cougars broke the tight game with four-consecutive points to pull ahead 16-10. From that point, the College of Charleston doubled-up the Catamounts, outscoring Western 14-to-7 to take the two-game advantage, 30-17.

In the third game, CofC raced to a 5-0 lead before Western could recover. The Cougars built a 12-point cushion at 16-4, only to see Western nip away at the advantage, clawing to within seven at 19-12. But an 11-to-4 scoring run over the final part of the game sealed the three-game sweep for Charleston.

Three Cougars hit in double figures, led by the 13 kills of senior Rebecca Wieters. Her classmate, Amanda Timmers, added a double-double with 12 kills and 16 digs, with sophomore Annie Uthe killing 10. Senior setter Kaycie Carr also recorded a double-double with 41 assists and 12 digs in the win.

The Catamounts return to action on Sunday afternoon in the Ramsey Center, hosting The Citadel at 2:00 pm. The Cougars visit Chattanooga for an afternoon match with the Lady Mocs.