Nov. 3, 2010

Box Score

BOONE, N.C. – Freshman Kelcie Randazzo posted a match-high 31 assists to go along with 10 digs for her 11th double-double of the season to pace the Catamounts in their three-set loss to rival Appalachian State on Wednesday night.

WCU fell in the first set, 22-25, before dropping the final two sets by scores of 21-25 and 15-25.

“We had one of our best passing games of the season, but struggled to put the ball down,” said Western Carolina head coach Manuel Concepcion. “Morgan (Cochran) demonstrated why she’s one of the best, if not the best, libero in the conference. She took control of serve-receive, and created a bunch of second opportunities for us.”

Freshman Morgan Cochran recorded 13 digs to guide the WCU defensive effort. Junior Carrie Minogue recorded four block assists in the loss while senior Paloma Alvarez added three.

Offensively, sophomore Amanda Chaparro paced the Catamounts with 11 kills. Alvarez added 10 kills on the evening and Minogue chipped in five kills, respectively. Randazzo recorded 31 of the team’s 32 assists.

“Injuries in the setting position have made our offense go up or down, but at the same time we should be more confident by taking better swings at the ball,” said Concepcion.

The opening set saw the Catamounts down 10-5 before going on a 10-6 run to get within one (16-15) and force a Mountaineer timeout. Appalachian State scored three consecutive points out of the timeout to take a 19-15 advantage, but WCU responded by rattling off four straight points capped by an Alvarez kill to tie match at 19 for the first time since the set was tied at five all. The Mountaineers went on a 6-3 run to close out the set, 25-22.

After trailing 4-0 to start set two, WCU’s offense came alive as it went 14-4 run to pull ahead for an eight point advantage (14-8). The Catamounts held onto a four-point lead (19-15) late into the set before Appalachian State scored four consecutive points to tie the match at 19. A kill by Alvarez regained the lead for WCU, but the Mountaineers would not be denied as they went on a 6-1 run to take set two, 25-21.

Appalachian State had a 14-6 lead midway through the third set, but WCU battled back by scoring four consecutive points to cut their deficit to four (14-10). A 9-3 run by the Mountaineers pushed their lead to 23-13 before WCU got within nine on an Appalachian State miscue. Kills by Alison Blasingame and Maggie Seeds sealed the victory for the Mountaineers, 25-15.

The Catamounts return to action on Oct. 6-7 when they play host to their final two home contests of the season against Samford on Nov. 6 and Chattanooga on Nov. 7.