Final Stats |   

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - The Western Carolina volleyball team picked up its third 3-2 victory over the last four matches as the Catamounts downed the Mercer Bears at home on Saturday. Sophomore Jo-Leigh Vervelde picked up her NCAA leading ninth triple-double of the season with 11 kills, 24 assists and 15 digs while freshman Alyssa Zupan led the way in kills with 15.

Zupan had an outstanding match as she committed just one error on 40 swings as she picked up her 15 kills. She also added four blocks. Vervelde also had four blocks in the match to go along with her triple-double.

All told, four Catamounts reached double-figures in kills while four had four or more blocks. Freshman Savannah Kohlhagen had a double-double with 11 kills and 16 digs while picking up a block and a service ace. Sophomore Katie O'Connor also had 11 kills to go along with five blocks.

Senior Nicole Ford led the team with six blocks including one solo stop. She also added six kills and a service ace to WCU's attack.

The win improves WCU's record to 11-19 on the year and 5-9 in Southern Conference play. The Bears dropped to 9-18 overall and 4-11 in league action.

Five Catamounts reached double-figures in digs in the match including Vervelde and Kohlhagen. Senior libero Elyssa Mulheron led with 19 while sophomore defensive specialist Lucy Lambert added 17. Senior setter Cristina Nazario had 15 digs to go with her 22 assists.

The Mercer Bears entered the match leading the SoCon with 1.76 service aces per set and ranked eighth in the NCAA. WCU held the Bears to just four aces over the five sets while acing the Bears seven times. WCU also doubled the Bears in blocks with 12 compared to their six.

WCU took the first, third and fifth sets, 25-10, 25-18 and 15-13. Mercer won the second set in extra points 27-25 and took the fourth set 25-23.

Mercer was led by Morgan MacGilvary who had 17 kills and seven digs. Emily Krogman added 15 kills.

WCU will be back in action next Friday, Nov. 13 as the Catamounts host Samford at 6 pm.