Box Score

Aug. 27, 2010

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - The Catamount volleyball team overcame a two set deficit to defeat Eastern Kentucky, 3-2, on Friday night at the Ramsey Center.

"I am excited to start the season with two wins because we earned the wins today," said Western Carolina head coach Manuel Concepcion. "The returners have been great leaders and are really doing a great job trusting the new players and welcoming them to the team in an unbelievable way."

After dropping the first two sets (14-25, 20-25), the Catamounts (2-0) rallied to win the third set, 25-23. Western Carolina carried the momentum into the fourth set, downing Eastern Kentucky, 25-14.

The fifth set saw the Catamounts and Colonels knotted in a tie nine times with the final tie at 13 all. Western Carolina capitalized on back-to-back attacking errors by Eastern Kentucky's Amanda Fago and Hannah Groudle to pull away with the 15-13 victory.

Western Carolina never led in the first set and kept the match within two points (11-9) before Eastern Kentucky pulled away on an 11-2 run to take a 23-11 lead. Kills by outside hitter Paloma Alvarez and middle blocker Carrie Minogue and a service ace by junior Sara Gannt made the score 23-14, but the Colonels took the set on an Ashley Edmond kill and service ace.

After trailing 17-5 in set two, the Catamounts rattled off five unanswered points to start an 11-1 run to bring the match within two (18-16). The comeback fell short as the team committed four errors down the stretch, losing the set 25-20. The Catamounts jumped out to an early 5-2 lead in the third set before exchanging leads until the Colonels took their largest advantage of the set (14-11). Western Carolina kept the match within two points before pulling away at the end of the match by scoring four unanswered points to take the set, 25-23.

It was all Western Carolina in the fourth set as they returned the favor to Eastern Kentucky from the first set, taking the set by a score of 25-14. Alvarez and sophomore Amanada Chaparro helped the squad jump out to a 22-10 lead by recording four kills each. Eastern Kentucky got within nine points (23-14), but dropped the set on back-to-back attacking errors.

Freshman Kelcie Randazzo dished out 37 assists while adding 15 digs on the night. Alvarez and Chaparro led the Catamounts on the offensive attack, posting 15 and 16 kills, respectively.

"Kelcie played libero during her club career and only played a little at the setter position in high school," said Concepcion. "To see her playing this well so far is really encouraging. She ran the offense like a senior and I was proud of her today."

Freshman libero Morgan Cochran paced the team in digs with 23 while Alvarez and Chaparro both chipped in 16.

"Morgan was very confident today," said Concepcion. "I am glad she is here and I know she is happy to be here. Morgan has really established ball control for us and we needed that."

Freshman Leah Best and Minogue posted six blocks throughout the match while junior Rebecca Stoltz added five.

The Catamounts return to action at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28 when compete in the final match of the VB Rags Western Carolina Invitational against N.C. State.