Cullowhee, N.C. - Senior setter Carey Cavanaugh led the Bucs with 54 assists, but it was not enough as the Bucs dropped their first match of the season, 3-2 to Western Carolina. The Bucs threatened a win in the first game forcing a final of 31-29 in favor of the Catamounts. WCU marked a .326 hitting percentage in the first game. The Cats came back to put away the second game 30-19. WCU fell in games three and four, 25-30 and 24-30, respectively. However, the squad came back in the fifth game to finish off the previously undefeated Lady Bucs 15-9. Stein notched a triple-double in the win recording 14 kills, 11 digs and 10 blocks. Senior Christy Attebery led the team in kills with 24, also recording a double-double with 14 digs. Freshman Stefanie Peters and senior Bri Milan-Williams recorded double-doubles and led the team in digs, each with 15. Peters put down 10 kills while Milan-Williams dished out 58 assists. ETSU was led by sophomore Kate Steidle with 25 kills while senior Carey Cavanaugh led the team in digs with 18. The Bucs notched 78 kills to Western's 66, however, Western recorded 27 blocks to ETSU's six. WCU improves to a 4-0 overall record (conference record, 1-0), the best start for the Cats since 1990. East Tennessee State drops to 3-1 and 0-1 in league play. The Bucs next play at Chattanooga on friday at 7 p.m.