Nov. 17, 2005

Final Stats

Statesboro, Ga. - Three-time SoCon Volleyball Tournament champion Western Carolina shut out the UNC Greensboro Spartans 3-0 in their first round meeting to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2005 SoCon Championship at Hanner Fieldhouse on the campus of Georgia Southern.

Heather Koontz had 13 kills for the Catamounts in the win, while UNC Greensboro's Lauren Richards garnered 11 kills in the losing effort for the Spartans.

The Catamounts took advantage of the few UNC Greensboro miscues in the first game to take a 1-0 lead in a 30-27 win over the Spartans.

The Spartans, who were able to secure only two league wins in 2005, came roaring back in the second frame, looking to even the match.

The Catamounts would not let it happen though, coming back from an early UNC Greensboro lead to take a 30-25 win and enter the 10-minute intermission with a sound 2-0 advantage entering the third game.

Western Carolina held off on their most dominating performance until the final stanza when they defeated the Spartans 30-20 to acquire the shutout.

The loss leaves the Spartans winless at 0-5 in SoCon Tournament play and improves the Catamounts to an even 19-19 all-time in the championship. It was additionally Western's first win at the championship since the 2000 season. The Catamounts have now won 17-consecutive matches over their instate rival with WCU out-scoring the Spartans 51-to-6 and 12 of the wins coming in straight sets.

The Western Carolina (9-24, 7-11) victory moves the squad on to face rival and second-seeded Appalachian State in the quarterfinals of the SoCon Volleyball Championship. The match will commence at 4:30 p.m. on Friday at Hanner Fieldhouse.