Box Score October 18, 2009
Wofford vs. Western Carolina Box Score
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Wofford volleyball team claimed a key win in Southern Conference play with a thrilling five-set win over Western Carolina Saturday.
The two teams battled for every point in the first set, until a kill from Stacy Byrd put the Terriers up by two at 18-16. From there, Wofford went on a 7-1 tear behind strong serving from Reagan Styles to claim the first set 25-17.
The second set saw 12 ties, the most of any set in the match. Neither team was able to claim more than a two-point lead until the Terriers went up 16-13. Wofford was able to maintain the slight lead until an offensive push from Western Carolina tied the score at 22. The Catamounts then capitalized on several Wofford errors to fight off two set points and ultimately win the second set 27-25.
After two close sets to open the match, Western Carolina jumped out to an early 6-1 lead in the third set but the Terriers fought back to close the gap at one point, down 10-11. Another Catamount run put Western Carolina ahead 16-11, but Wofford again rallied to tie the score at 18 and only allow three additional points for the Catamounts, taking the 25-21 win.
The fourth set was another battle for the two teams, with five lead changes throughout the set. A Joanna Suddath kill all but sealed the win for the Terriers, putting Wofford up 24-20, but the Catamounts refused to yield, fighting off four match points and earning a 26-24 win to force the fifth and deciding set.
Western Carolina carried its momentum over from the fourth set to take an 8-5 lead in the fifth set, but the Terriers recovered to tie the score at 11. Wofford would then allow only one more point for the Catamounts, claiming the set and match win by a score of 15-12.
The Catamounts were led by Paloma Alvarez, who recorded 13 kills, while Kara Lynzee Brooks added 10 and led the team with a .348 attack percentage. Setter Katie Hennessey notched a double-double with 41 assists and 11 digs and libero Liz Rondone led the defense with 19 defensive saves.
Junior Stacy Byrd led the Terriers with 20 kills and added six blocks. The Wofford net defense was led by freshman Arden Anderson, who recorded a career high 12 blocks, helping the Terriers to a total of 14 team blocks. Anderson's 12 total blocks matched the current school record, set by Currie Gossett.
Libero Sarah Palmer backed up the strong blocking with 14 digs, while setter Joanna Suddath and outside hitter Shanna Hughes each added 12. Suddath and Hughes also recorded double-doubles in the match, with Suddath running the team’s offense with 43 assists and Hughes tallying 12 kills. Freshman Reagan Styles added 10 digs to bring the team’s total to 66.
With the win, Wofford improves to 16-8 overall and 3-5 in the Southern Conference while Western Carolina falls to 3-19 on the season and 0-8 in league play. The Terriers return home to host Chattanooga on Saturday, October 24 in a 2:00 p.m. matchup.
