Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. - In opening day action at the Courtyard Midtown Invitational hosted by NC State, the Catamounts were swept by the Wolfpack, 3-0 (13-25, 13-25, 15-25), who improved to 6-1 on the season.

Western Carolina (2-6) were very much in the first and second sets with WCU being down 10-11 in the first and all tied up with N.C. State at 11 in the second set. Long runs in both sets would give the Wolfpack a 2-0 advantage going into the break.

The third set was all N.C. State as the home team began the set with a 5-0 run to begin the third. Runs of three, three, and four would set the tone for the rest of the final set as the Wolfpack would score in bunches to take the final set 25-15.

No Catamount was able to break double-digits in kills with Caitlin Piechota leading the Purple and Gold with seven kills. Piechota and Morgan Cochran finished with 10 digs apiece. Sophomore Paige McConlogue also added five digs.

N.C. State - who has played all of its matches at home this season - was led by Dariyan Hopper who tallied 11 kills in the win. Meredith Richardson added eight kills, two digs and five blocks.

Saturday, Western Carolina looks to get back to its winning ways after dropping its last four matches following its 2-1 start. The Catamounts begin the day against the Chippewas of Central Michigan at 11 am before concluding play against Campbell at 5 pm. Central Michigan swept the Campbell Camels in the first match of the tournament. Live stats for both matches Saturday can be found on CatamountSports.com via GameTracker.