Sept. 14, 2007

UNC Wilmington Box Score

The Citadel Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina volleyball (4-9, 1-0 SoCon) took an early lead in Southern Conference play defeating The Citadel (1-8, 0-1 SoCon) 3-1 (30-27, 26-30, 30-21, 30-21) Friday in the nightcap of the Catamount Clash IV in the Ramsey Center. Earlier in the day, the Catamounts fell to UNC Wilmington 3-0 (27-30, 24-30, 23-30).

It is the first time since 2004 the Catamounts have opened conference play with a win. The Catamounts defeated Chattanooga on September 24, 3-2.

Western Carolina enjoyed the senior leadership of Meredith Harmon who led the Catamounts with 19 kills and also led the team with a .341 attack percentage. Harmon also had a pair of block assists and a solo block.

Two Catamounts recorded double-doubles in the match. Freshman Ali Rook had 10 kills and 10 digs. Sophomore setter Katie Hennessey not only notched a season-high 49 assists she also recorded 15 digs. Sophomore Liz Rondone led the club with 21 digs.

Western Carolina had three players record double figure kills but couldn't escape the hot hitting of UNC-Wilmington, falling 3-0 in the Catamounts first match of the day. Rook led the Catamounts with 14 kills and Harmon followed with 13 kills and freshman Kara Lynzee Brooks rounded out the double-figure attack with 10 kills.

Western Carolina opened the match with a strong game one, hitting .333 in the game and committing just five errors. However, the Catamounts hit .163 in game two and .128 in game three. Western Carolina also committed 10 service errors in the match.

Hennessey recorded what would have been her second-best assist mark of the season with 34, until she snapped it in the last game against The Citadel. Rondone led the team in digs with 19.

Action concludes in the Catamount Clash IV Saturday when Western Carolina takes on Presbyterian at 12:30 p.m. and North Carolina A&T at 5:30 p.m.