BOONE, N.C. ?€“ Appalachian State University volleyball opens up Southern Conference play as the Mountaineers head to Cullowhee, N.C., to take on in-state rival Western Carolina, Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. This match-up marks the 60th all-time meeting between the Mountaineers and Catamounts, with Appalachian holding a 34-25 advantage. ASU swept the series last season, defeating WCU 3-0 at home and 3-2 at Cullowhee. The Mountaineers come into the match with a 7-5 overall record, while the Catamounts are 2-10 this season, having dropped their last two matches to Samford and UNC Asheville. Appalachian is led by senior Stefanie Panzer (Mt. Gilead, N.C.) with 146 kills and 47 total blocks in 42 games. Panzer is hitting a team-high .363 (146 kills, 30 errors, 320 attempts), and is second-best on the team with 12 service aces. Sophomore Lorelle Rau (Oakland Park, Fla.) is averaging 11.39 assists per game, compiling a total of 467 this season. Senior Kali Rumberger (Spokane, Wash.) leads the team with 179 digs this season, adding 45 kills and a team-high 14 service aces. Last weekend, Appalachian went 1-2, finishing third at the Jefferson Cup Tournament hosted by the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. The Mountaineers fell to Virginia 3-0 and Albany 3-1, before completing a 3-0 sweep of Liberty. Rumberger was named to the all-tournament team. The Mountaineers remain on the road, as they head to Chattanooga, Tenn., to take on the Chattanooga Mocs, Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. Appalachian opens home conference play Friday, Sept. 30, hosting Elon at 7 p.m. at the Holmes Center.