The UTC volleyball team dropped its final home match of the season against Appalachian State, 3-1 (25-22, 11-25, 22-25, 20-25) at Maclellan Gym. Sophomore middle blocker Ellie Kuhn (San Antonio, Texas) broke the Lady Mocs single season block assists register with five today giving her 101 block assists for the year.
"I am thrilled to have surpassed the record," said Kuhn. "I have two more years left to improve and add to it. I couldn't have done it without the presence of the outside and right side hitters. I am glad that I was able to accomplish the feat and there is more to look forward to in the future."
The San Antonio, Tex., native passed Heather Gibson who totaled 100 in the 1991 season. Also, Kuhn moved up the total blocks in a season list to eighth blocking down 114 total attacks passing Carmen Walker, Rachel Evan and Leslee Ball in today's match.
Prior to the match, senior Cassie Conner (Willow Spring, Ill.) was honored as a part of senior day activities. Conner played two years with Chattanooga after transferring from Ball State. The senior notched 35 assists along with a season-high 13 digs and two blocks.
It was another impressive day for Chattanooga (12-16, 4-11 SoCon) middle blockers junior Courtney Barnes (Franklin, Tn.) and Kuhn, who each registered at least 10 kills for the second-straight match. Barnes led the Lady Mocs with 14 kills and three blocks, two were solo, while Kuhn added 12 kills and five blocks.
"I love contributing offensively especially as a middle because it can open up things for our outsides," said Kuhn. "I am sure it did because our outsides had a pretty good day. It is a great feeling to contribute offensively and defensively."
The middle attack opened the door for the outsides as freshman Meagan Ernd (Munster, Ind.) and sophomore right side Jessica Scott (Lawrence, Kan.) each had seven kills.
The Lady Mocs dug up a total of 60 attacks with freshman libero Paula Passmore (Merritt Island, Fla.) and Conner leading the team with 13 digs each.
Chattanooga started the first set slowly, but used a 10-2 run to take a 11-8 lead. The Lady Mocs would keep the advantage until the Mountaineers registered three consecutive points tying the match at 21-all. Two costly errors by Appalachian State (12-16, 8-6 SoCon) proved the difference as the Lady Mocs added kills by Kirsten Beasley (Amarillo, Texas) and Scott to take the set, 25-22.
Appalachian State rebounded in the second set hitting an impressive .441 along with 16 kills and one error.
The Mountaineers were helped by seven mistakes by the Lady Mocs and rolled to a 25-11 victory.
The third set proved to be the most important as Chattanooga jumped out to a 5-1 lead after Kuhn broke the block assists record with three straight blocks. The Lady Mocs remained ahead until Appalachian State finished the set on a 5-2 run to take a 2-1 lead in the match, 25-22.
The Mountaineers came out firing in the fourth set racking up 20 kills and hitting .400 as they recorded a 25-20 win. Chattanooga played well in the set registering 15 kills of its own, but were unable to consistently stop the Appalachian Sate attack.
Lauren Swecker paced the Mountaineers with a double-double 17 kills and 15 digs. Meghann Forshey, Caroline Sedon and Maja Jechorek each converted on at least 10 kills as Appalachian State recorded 62 in the match. With 18 digs, Cassie Engelgau led the squad, while Kasey Sauls added 14.
The Lady Mocs are back in action next weekend when they head to Davidson to finish up the regular season. First serve for the match is set for 4 p.m.
Appalachian State def. Chattanooga 22-25,25-11,25-22,25-20
Appalachian State (12-16, 8-6 SoCON) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Lauren
Swecker 17-0-1; Meghann Forshey 12-0-3; Maja Jechorek 11-1-2; Caroline
Sedon 10-0-8; Becca Norris 7-0-8; Kasey Sauls 3-1-6; Kelsey Kuehner
2-0-1; Totals 62-2-16.0. (Assists) - Kasey Sauls 49. (Dig leaders) -
Cassie Engelgau 18; Lauren Swecker 15; Kasey Sauls 14; Maja Jechorek 8
Chattanooga (12-16, 4-11 SoCON) (Kills-aces-blocks) - BARNES, Courtney
14-0-3; KUHN, Ellie 12-0-5; SCOTT, Jessica 7-0-2; ERND, Meagan 7-0-0;
BROCK, Laura 2-0-0; BEASLEY, Kirsten 2-1-2; PARMAN, Heather 2-1-0;
DAVIS, Dakota 1-0-0; PASSMORE, Paula 1-2-0; CONNER, Cassie 1-0-2;
Totals 49-4-8.0. (Assists) - CONNER, Cassie 35. (Dig leaders) -
CONNER, Cassie 13; PASSMORE, Paula 13
Site: Chattanooga, Tenn. (Maclellan Gym)
Date: Nov 08, 2009 Attend: 255 Time: 1:52
Referees: Denise Penzkofer, Doug Fagan