Aug. 27, 2005

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - The Western Carolina Catamount volleyball team dropped a pair of matches on Saturday at the season-opening tournament at Middle Tennessee State. Western fell in straight sets, 3-0 (30-23, 30-21, 30-18), to Texas-El Paso in the 2005 season opener, and after a long layover, dropped the nightcap of the tournament to Tennessee State, 3-0 (30-19, 30-21, 30-24).

The Catamounts (0-2) struggled with finding an offensive rhythm in both matches, hitting .030 against the Miners and .050 versus the TSU Tigers.

Sophomore Danielle Spitzer posted a team-high nine kills in the loss to Tennessee State, adding a solo block on the night. Classmate Meredith Harmon recorded eight kills with a .375 hitting percentage while also leading the team with two total blocks. Junior Kate Willard dished out 13 assists in the losing effort.

In Saturday's first game for WCU, junior Heather Koontz led the way for Western, reaching double-digit kills with 10 while hitting .381 on the morning. She added a team-high nine digs and two total blocks in the losing effort. Classmate Meghan Boyle dished out 15 assists, adding eight digs for the Catamounts.

Sophomores Harmon and Spitzer, along with newcomer, junior Krista Neumann, each tallied four kills apiece. Harmon led the defensive charge for WCU, recording four total blocks, with Neumann adding four digs. Freshman Tracey Justus was strong defensively, digging seven Miner attacks in the match.

Western returns to action on Friday, Sept. 2 in tournament action hosted by Clemson. The Catamounts will face the SEC's Kentucky Wildcats at 7:30 pm at Jervey Gym. Western will also face the host Clemson Tigers and the UConn Huskies on Saturday as a part of the early season tournament.