Final Stats |   

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - The Western Carolina volleyball team fell in Southern Conference action Wednesday night to visiting East Tennessee State University, 3-0. The Buccaneers used a strong offensive attack and also out-blocked the Catamounts in route to the sweep.

Sophomore Katie O'Connor led the Catamount attack with eight kills on 14 swings while also picking up two blocks. Sophomore Jo-Leigh Vervelde and freshman Alyssa Zupan each had six kills in the match. Vervelde added a team-high 15 assists and seven digs.

Sophomore libero Lucy Lambert led the team with 11 digs while senior setter Cristina Nazario dished out nine assists and picked up seven digs.

The win improves ETSU’s record to 14-5 overall and 5-1 in SoCon play while the Catamounts fall to 7-16 and 1-6 in conference action.

ETSU hit .220 as a team while holding WCU to a .047 attack percentage.

The Catamounts did not capture their first lead until the first point of the third set as the Buccaneers went wire-to-wire in the first and second sets 25-21 and 25-16, respectively. The Catamounts were in the third set early on but a 12-4 run by the Buccaneers opened up a 19-11 lead and ETSU never looked back. The Catamounts fought off two match points before a ball handling error ended the match, 25-16.

WCU will not have much time to rest as the Catamounts return to action this Friday at home against The Citadel at 6 pm.