Oct. 6, 2006
Final Stats
Cullowhee, N.C. -
Despite out blocking the league-leading College of Charleston Cougars, 14-to-11, the Western Carolina Catamounts could not capitalize on opportunities Friday night, falling in four, 3-1 (30-21, 25-20, 30-15, 30-21) in Southern Conference action in the Ramsey Center.
"Although neither team played their best, I really felt like, for a time, we went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the Southern Conference tonight - and for that, I am very proud of my team," said second-year head coach Stephanie Dragan. "We were short-handed tonight, but several of our underclassmen stepped up and played well for us. Getting that kind of experience in tight games with good teams will do nothing but help us down the line."
Freshman Brittny Johnson led the Catamounts with nine kills Western (5-17, 1-5 SoCon) had no one reach double-digits. Senior Heather Koontz recorded seven kills, while junior Meredith Harmon had six and freshman Amanda Kerr had five.
Three Catamounts recorded double-digits in digs led by a match-high from freshman Liz Rondone. The rookie from Bloomington, Ill., currently stands with 487 digs on the season, 10 shy of tying the WCU single-season record. Senior Kate Willard, who currently holds the season record, tallied 11 digs in the loss, while Koontz finished with 10 and freshman Lauren Brown had eight.
Down 1-0, the Catamounts hit their match-best, .167, in game two to edge the Cougars, 30-25 to even things at one apiece. The Catamounts rallied from a 15-to-11 deficit to knot the game at 17 before surging ahead for the final lead change of the game. Western pushed out to a four-point advantage, 24-20, on a Rondone service ace and stretched the lead to a game-high five on a Kerr kill at 27-22 before evening things up with a Johnson kill.
However, Western could not maintain the positive momentum from its game two victory falling in the third game, 30-15.
Facing elimination, Western matched Charleston nearly point-for-point through the majority of game three before the Cougars began to ease ahead. Tied at 16, CofC rattled off four-straight points to pull ahead, 20-16, forcing WCU to take a timeout. After the stoppage, the Catamounts were able to end the rally on another Johnson kill. Yet, Charleston out scored Western 10-to-4 down the stretch to claim the four-game victory.
The Cougars (12-5, 6-0 SoCon) were led by the double-double of freshman Emily Sawin with a match-high 19 kills and 18 digs, while junior Annie Uthe finished with 10 kills on a match-high .273 attack percentage. Senior Marie Dobrenz finished with 23 digs, while her classmate, Alexis Lowes, tallied 16.
The Catamounts continue their three-match home stand on Saturday afternoon hosting The Citadel Bulldogs at 2:00 pm in the Ramsey Center.
