The Appalachian
State University volleyball team opened their conference schedule
with a win against the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. The
victory pushed the Mountaineers’ record to 7-2 overall and
1-0 in conference play, as well as snap a two-game losing streak
for ASU.
The Mountaineers have a squad full of freshman
who are getting very significant playing time but were led by a
couple of upperclassman on this day. With no seniors on this year’s
squad the leadership duties fall on junior middle blocker, Katherine
Dean who led ASU with 16 kills and sophomore setter, Amber Mangrum
who had 44 assists.
“Our recruiting class is awesome, they did
a good job of bringing in a really strong recruiting class and those
freshman are awesome,” said Mangrum.
The young players she referred to are Rebecca
Sorensen, Kali Rumberger, Chrissy Finch and Stefanie Panzer who
are all receiving significant playing time this season. Finch and
Rumberger were second and third in kills with 14 and 12 respectively.
GAME 1: ASU 30, UTC
25
ASU started well by winning the first game. Dean,
who had half her game-high 16 kills, led the team. The Mountaineers
forced UTC to take a time out after going up 18-14, but the Mocs
could not get any closer than three as ASU went on an 8-4 run to
close out the game.
GAME 2: UTC 30, ASU
27
Game two was marked by inconsistency and errors
for ASU who found themselves down 13-8 and forced to take a timeout.
The Mocs looked alive in game two and made several improbable plays
from odd angles. Appalachian was able for force UTC to take a timeout
when they fought back to be down three at 28-25. The Mountaineers
would be able to get no closer and fell 30-27 after an attack sailed
long to end the game.
GAME 3: ASU 30, UTC
15
Appalachian took the Mocs by storm in the third
game going up 10-5 and forcing UTC into a timeout. After a kill
by Dean for a side out and 14-7 lead, ASU would go on a 10-4 run.
Panzer served three points, followed by two consecutive blocks by
Dean and Mangrum. A kill by Rumberger and two in a row for Finch
gave ASU a 27-11 lead. They would finish the game 30-15 and set
themselves up for the victory.
GAME 4: ASU 30, UTC
24
ASU started quickly with Rumberger making a couple
kills and serving one point to make it 7-4. The Mocs made a good
come back to go up 10-12 but would not be able to hold the lead
long. With four freshmen on the floor, ASU hit, passed and set to
the tune of a 7-1 run and 17-13 lead.
After the timeout, Rumberger made what was by
far the fan favorite play of the game. On an attack, she spiked
the ball, cross-court to the back row where it hit, UTC outside
hitter, Kari Krouse in the shoulder but sailed back over the net
and was still in play. Rumberger was still able to make the point
by hitting a dink between three Moc defenders.
“I just felt it. Amber set it perfect, it
was a perfect pass, perfect set and I don’t know, just swung
through and it felt really good,” Rumberger said.
This play seemed to energize the Mountaineers
who then went on a 7-2 run and forced UTC to regroup. The Mocs made
a late surge that was ultimately in vain, as they fell 30-24 which
also gave ASU the victory three games to one.
“We’re just excited to get the Southern
Conference off to a good start,” said head coach Chris Redding.
“It’s only the beginning and we’re looking forward
to a lot of exciting matches here and on the road.”
ASU plays its next conference game on Sept. 20
when they visit Georgia Southern University. Appalachian will take
on the Catamounts of Western Carolina University in Boone on Sept.
25. |
