Nov. 6, 2005

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - The Western Carolina Catamount volleyball team had third-place Georgia Southern on the ropes Sunday afternoon in Statesboro, Ga., but could not withstand the feverish Eagle rally, falling in five games, 3-2 (27-30, 27-30, 30-19, 30-27, 15-12) at Hanner Fieldhouse, the site of the 2005 Southern Conference Championship in two weeks.

Three Catamounts recorded double-doubles, led by the team-high 16 kills and 13 digs by junior Heather Koontz. The Rosman, N.C., native committed just three errors on the night for a .382 attack percentage. Senior Ellie Talbot killed a dozen, adding 16 digs, while junior setter Meghan Boyle dished out 47 assists and recorded 13 digs for the third double tilt. Junior Krista Neumann just missed the double-double, tallying nine kills to accompany 11 digs.

Sophomore Danielle Spitzer was a third Cat in double-figures in kills with 11, while Kate Willard led with a match-high 24 digs.

Western (7-21, 6-10 SoCon) raced out to a 2-0 advantage over Georgia Southern, recording back-to-back wins of 30-27 by out hitting the Eagles .267-to-.192 in games one and two. GSU recorded a match-high 11 attack errors in the first game. However, after the break, Georgia Southern rallied to stave off elimination by hitting best .488 as a team, which included 22 kills and only two errors, en route to the 30-19 game three win.

In the final two sets, Georgia Southern capitalized on 13 Catamount attack errors, while playing error-free in the decisive fifth game, to complete the comeback.

As a team, Western Carolina out blocked the Eagles, who rank fourth in the SoCon in blocks, 12-10, with sophomore Meredith Harmon leading the way with five total blocks. The Villa Hills, Ky., native added seven kills on a .263 attack percentage.

Georgia Southern was lead by senior Iulia Porumbescu who recorded 21 kills and 17 digs, playing in just three of the five games. Eagle sophomore Bailey Coleman tallied 21 kills and 17 digs, also adding three blocks. Sophomore Gorana Bacic and freshman Christy Dowd recorded double-digit kills as well, Bacic with 11 and Dowd with 17.

Western Carolina returns to action this Tuesday, Nov. 8 as it hosts East Tennessee State in non-conference action at the Ramsey Center at 7:00 pm. The Catamounts remain at home on Thursday, Nov. 10 to complete the home portion of their 2005 schedule by hosting mountain-rival, UNC Asheville, on Senior Night.