BOONE, N.C. — East Tennessee State used timely
attacks and limited the Appalachian offense as it
defeated the Mountaineers 3-1 in volleyball
action Tuesday night from the Holmes Center Boone, N.C.
The first game saw Appalachian build a 13-8 lead
by well placed attacks. The Mountaineers would build the lead to as much as six but
East Tennessee State battled back to close the gap
to one at 19-18. Appalachian then fumped to a five point advantage before the Bucs
closed within two to force an Appalachian timeout
at 24-22. Following the timeout East Tennessee State
again rallied to pull within one at 26-25. Appalachian
did not waiver as they held off an ETSU rally to take
the first game 30-27.
Game two started out just as close as the first.
Appalachian again jumped out to a an early led at 6-3.
The Bucs responded by tying the game at eight each.
ETSU then built a two point advantage at 10-8 but the
Mountaineers responded to tie the match at 11. The Buccaneers
steadily built a three point advantage at 17-14 that
forced a Mountaineer timeout. Following the timeout,
Appalachian continued to use a strong defensive presence
at the net to pull even at 20-20. ETSU regrouped and opened
a four point lead at 25-21 which forced a Mountaineer
timeout. ETSU then took control and took the second game 30-24.
Game three saw Appalachian jump to an early 5-2 advantage.
ETSU then struck back to take the lead at 10-8. The Bucs then
extended the lead to 19-13. Appalachian continued to battle back
and tied the game at 24. Appalachian staved off eight chances at game point but ETSU
finally converted on its nine attempt to take the third game 38-36.
In game four, the match stayed close as both teams battled to a 5-5 tie.
ETSU then took control by going on a 8-3 run to boost the score to 13-8.
Appalachian would not give up as they cut the Buccaneer lead to two at
18-16. ETSU rebounded to extend the lead to six at 22-16 to force an
Appalachian timeout. Appalachian could not mount a comeback for the
remainder of the match as ETSU ended the match with a 30-23 win in
game four.
Appalachian was led by Katherine Dean who tallied a
career-high 20 kills and 13 digs. Karen Nielson, and
Ashley Peterson chipped in with 10 kills each.
Claire Reynolds also had a productive night as she
handed out 12 kills. East Tennessee State was led by Karen Freeburg (Newcastle, Ind.)
with 17 kills. Rachel Shifflet (Axton, Va.) and Lissa Allen (Palm Bay, Fla.) also tallied double-digit kills
as they each had 15.
With the win, the Buccaneers move their record to 19-4, 14-4 in conference play. ETSU will travel to
UNC Greensboro on Nov. 9 and to Davidson on Nov. 10 to close out the regular season.