Final Stats |   

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Sophomore Jo-Leigh Vervelde captured her second career triple-double Tuesday night as she led the Western Carolina volleyball team to a 3-0 sweep of UNC Asheville inside the Ramsey Center. Vervelde was the only student-athlete from either team to reach double-digit kills as she had 15 kills, 21 assists and 11 digs.

Vervelde also added a team-high five blocks. The triple-double is the second of her career after she achieved the feat last season at home against Chattanooga on Oct. 31. That evening she had 10 kills, 30 assists and 15 digs in a 3-1 victory for the Catamounts.

The win improves WCU's record to 2-2 on the year while the Bulldogs fell to 1-3.

Freshmen Savannah Kohlhagen and Alyssa Zupan added to the offense with eight kills apiece. Sophomore Kaycey Cermin chipped in seven kills and tied for the team lead with five blocks including one solo stop.

Senior setter Cristina Nazario was one dig shy of a double-double with 17 assists and nine digs while senior libero Elyssa Mulheron led the squad in digs with 25.

WCU trailed for the opening few points of the first set but used a 4-0 run late in the period to capture a 25-20 victory. The second set was all Catamounts as they never trailed and cruised to a 25-15 win. The final set was back and forth and featured eight lead changes but in the end WCU stood on top, 25-21.

UNCA was led by Christine Lakatos who had eight kills, 10 digs and a pair of blocks.

WCU will be back in action this weekend as the team travels to the Washington, D.C. area for the District of Columbia Invitational. The Catamounts will face George Mason, Howard, Maryland and Penn.