Sept. 19, 2008

Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina volleyball (1-11) split a pair of matches in the first day of action Friday at the Catamount Clash in the Ramsey Center.

The Catamounts picked up their first win of the season, defeating Norfolk State 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-21) in their first match of the day. In the nightcap, Western Carolina fell 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-21) to Arkansas State.

Against Norfolk State, Western Carolina went over .200 in attack percentage for the first time this season, tipping the scales at .217. The club also had just 13 errors in 129 attempts, in contrast to the Spartan's 24 miscues.

"I kept telling the team if we could break 200 in attack percentage we would start winning matches," admitted Head Volleyball Coach Stephanie Dragan. "We had some great performances defensively which allowed our middles to get the ball."

Freshmen Carrie Minogue and Rebecca Stoltz continued to shine for the Catamounts, each logging in 11 kills in the match. Junior setter Katie Hennessey notched the eighth double-double of her career with 35 assists and 14 digs. Fellow junior Liz Rondone added 20 digs in the contest.

"Our defense played well enough to get our freshmen the ball," Dragan said. "And that's a big deal right there."

After dispensing with Presbyterian 3-0 in just one hour and five minutes, earlier in the day, Arkansas State had to face a tenacious Western Carolina club. The Catamounts gave the Redwolves a fight but prevailed with a .233 attack percentage to WCU's .129.

Stoltz and Kerr led the club with six kills a piece. Rondone added 14 digs.

Western Carolina faces Presbyterian College at 2 p.m. Saturday in the final day of action of the Catamount Clash.