Final Stats

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - The Western Carolina volleyball team dropped a tough match with visiting UNCG Sunday afternoon inside the Ramsey Center. The Spartans took sets one, two and four to earn the 3-1 victory over the Catamounts. A trio of Catamounts each tied for the team lead with nine kills while three Spartans reached double-figure kills in the match.

The loss drops WCU's record to 8-17 this season and 2-7 in Southern Conference play. The Spartans improved to 15-8 overall and 5-3 in league play.

Freshmen Devan Ingram and Alyssa Zupan along with sophomore Jo-Leigh Vervelde all had nine kills to lead the way for WCU. Ingram added eight digs and three blocks to her scoreline including one solo stop. Vervelde had 12 digs, four blocks and four assists in the match.

Sophomore Katie O'Connor added seven kills and four blocks while senior libero Elyssa Mulheron led the team with 16 digs. Sophomore Reeve Reinsborough came in defensively and added 11 digs while senior setter Cristina Nazario dished out 34 assists while digging up six balls.

UNCG was led by Ashley Muench who had 16 kills and 11 digs. Julia Westerbur added 15 kills and a pair of blocks while Jessica Brezwyn picked up 11 kills.

The Spartans won a tight first set that featured 11 tie scorers and five lead changes, 25-21. They then cruised in a wire-to-wire second set victory, 25-17. WCU led for most of the third set as they hung on for a 25-21 victory to cut UNCG's lead to just one. UNCG dominated the fourth set in route to the match win as they downed WCU 25-14.

The Catamounts will now hit the road for their final four road matches of the season. Up first is a trip to Spartanburg, S.C., as the Catamounts battle Wofford on Friday, Oct. 23 at 6 pm.