Aug. 28, 2010

Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. -The Catamount volleyball team fell to N.C. State on Saturday afternoon, 3-0, to wrap up the VB Rags Western Carolina Invitational.

The Catamounts (2-1) dropped the first set, 25-16, before losing the last two sets to the Wolfpack (3-0) by scores of 25-14 and 25-15.

"I saw good things this weekend despite the situation we are in with so many young players," said Western Carolina head coach Manuel Concepcion. "In a month when we start conference play, the girls are going to be doing well. Our ball control is getting better and as long as we keep getting better at the net and as a team we will do fine."

The first set saw the two teams battle to a five all tie before the Wolfpack went on a 6-1 run to push their lead to five (11-6). Western could only get the match within four (14-10) before N.C. State pulled away to a 24-14 advantage. An Amanda Chaparro kill and an attacking error by N.C. State's Margaret Salata brought the match to 24-16 before a kill by Luciana Shafer won the set for the Wolfpack, 25-16.

The Catamounts fell behind early in the second set, trailing 10-1 before back-to-back kills by Rebecca Stoltz made the score 10-3. N.C. State went on an 8-1 run to take an 18-4 advantage, but the Catamounts took advantage of four miscues by the Wolfpack plus a kill by Paloma Alvarez to bring the match to 18-9. Western got with nine (22-13), but could not overcome the early deficit as they dropped the set, 25-14.

Western never led in the third set and trailed by as much as 10 midway through the set (18-8) before capitalizing on two N.C. State attacking errors while adding a kill by Chaparro to get within seven (18-11). The Catamounts could not close the gap as the fell in the final set, 25-15.

Alvarez recorded seven kills in the match to lead the Catamounts while middle blocker Rebecca Stoltz added five kills and two blocks.

Morgan Cochran posted a match-high 19 digs while fellow freshman Kelcie Randazzo chipped in 11 assists and seven digs on the afternoon.

"We are going to get our synchronizing between blocking and defense together this week at practice," said Concepcion on preparing for next weekend's tournament. "We need to get a little more aggressive in our services as well. "We are facing good teams next weekend and it will be a good preparation for the conference season."

The Catamounts hit the road for their next set of matches, traveling to Terre Haute, Ind., to participate in the Indiana State Tournament on Sept. 3-4. Western opens tournament action against Montana State on Friday, Sept. 3 at 4 p.m.