JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Sophomore Julia Gardon logged a team-best 13 kills with senior Merry Gebel adding 10 as Western Carolina downed ETSU 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 30-28) in its Southern Conference opener on Friday night at Brooks Gym.

With the win, WCU improves to 5-7 overall and 1-0 while ETSU falls to 4-8 and 0-1.

Gardon's 13 kills mark the fourth straight match that the West Chester, Ohio native has finished with double figure kills. Gebel recorded double figure kills for the ninth time this season and third straight match. Freshman Sarah Janourova recorded her second straight double-double with a team-best 14 assists and 15 digs. Sophomore Destinee Dorsey logged a match-high 20 digs.

Josannah Vazquez led ETSU with a double-double as she had 12 kills and 11 digs. Caroline Dykes distributed a match-high 35 assists.

The Catamounts claimed a 7-4 lead early in the set thanks to a block by Haley Multerer and Janourova. ETSU trimmed the Catamount lead to 12-10 and then used an 8-2 run capped by a Vazquez kill for an 18-15 lead in the middle stages of the stanza. WCU answered with the next four points for a 19-18 lead. With ETSU leading 23-22, the Catamounts tallied three straight points and ended the set with a Gebel kill for a 1-0 lead in the match.

Tied at 12 in the second set, WCU took control of the frame with a 9-1 run as the Bucs got no closer than five points the rest of the way. A Gardon kill closed out the set and gave WCU a 2-0 advantage for the match.

A tightly contested third set featured 21 ties and eight lead changes. With ETSU leading 24-23 and serving for set point, Gebel answered with a kill to even the frame. With the score tied at 28, a Gardon kill gave WCU a 29-28 edge with a block by Carlson and Johnna Robinson clinching the match.

The Catamounts look for the weekend sweep on Saturday, traveling to Chattanooga for a 6 p.m. contest. Live stats will be available via a link on catamountsports.com with streaming video on ESPN+ (paid subscription required).
 
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