Final Stats |   

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - The Western Carolina volleyball team fell behind 2-0 to the Bulldogs of Samford University Friday night inside the Ramsey Center but came back to force a fifth and decisive set. WCU was able to manage to take a 17-16 lead in the fifth set but the Bulldogs responded and took a 19-17 victory to end WCU’s comeback.

Freshman Savannah Kohlhagen led the Catamounts with 12 kills and six digs. Sophomore Jo-Leigh Vervelde added nine kills, 15 assists, nine digs and six blocks.

Freshmen Devan Ingram and Alyssa Zupan along with sophomore Katie O'Connor each had seven kills in the match as well. O’Connor added a match-high seven blocks including one solo stop while Zupan had four blocks.

Senior libero Elyssa Mulheron led with 23 digs while senior setter Cristina Nazario led the team with 25 assists.

Samford took a tight opening set. The two teams traded leads most of the way but a late run gave the Bulldogs a 25-21 victory. The second set was back-and-forth early but the Bulldogs made a slight separation midway through and hung on for a 25-20 victory. WCU began its comeback in the third set as the Catamounts took a 14-9 lead and never looked back. Samford was able to get within three points on a few occasions but the Catamounts took the set 25-21. The fourth set was the most lopsided of any of the sets as WCU jumped out to a 15-5 lead and cruised to a 25-17 victory.

The fifth and decisive set was back-and-forth the entire way as neither team took more than a two point lead the entire period. Samford took the first two-point lead at 3-1 and once again at 4-2. Back-to-back kills by the Catamounts tied the set at four and Samford responded with two-straight points to take its third two-point lead at 6-4. WCU tied it at six with a block by Zupan and O’Connor. The two teams would not separate by more than a point until Samford took a 13-11 lead. Two kills by Kohlhagen tied the set at 13 and Samford forced their first match point at 14-13. WCU would fight off three match points before a block by Vervelde and senior Nicole Ford gave WCU its first and only opportunity for the match at 17-16. Three-straight kills by the Bulldogs ended WCU’s chances for a victory as Samford won the set 19-17.

Samford was led by Erin Bognar who had a match-high 19 kills and 10 digs. Kiahna Wicks added 17 kills while T.J. Russell had 14.

The Catamounts will close out the regular season tomorrow night at home against Chattanooga at 6 pm. WCU will honor its three seniors prior to the match while Chattanooga will be looking to clinch the regular season title with a win.