WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.- In the first match of the Black and Gold Challenge, Appalachian State University volleyball could not keep pace with a strong Liberty squad, as the Flames swept the Apps 3-0 Friday afternoon. With the loss, the Mountaineers drop to 3-8 on the season, while LU improves to an even 5-5 overall.
The match got off to a rough start for Appalachian, who came out sluggish in first set action, as Liberty notched an early 9-3 lead. ASU's deficit would increase with the Flames continuing their solid play going up 15-5. Kelsey Kuehner and Maggie Seeds tried to get the offense going, but it was not enough as LU's offensive assault would not let up.
A kill by Caroline Sedon and block assist by Sedon and Seeds cut Liberty's lead to just six at the 16-10 mark, but that would be the narrowest of margins for the Apps down the stretch, with Liberty capitalizing on four costly Appalachian errors, to hand ASU a 25-13 first set loss.
A mid-set 7-0 run by Liberty and two kills down the stretch by Chelanie Mccarty proved to the difference-maker in ASU's second set loss to Liberty.
Senior Maja Jechorek got the Mountaineers off to a solid start, as the two teams battled in the beginning of second set play, in what would be a back and forth affair. The scored was knotted four times before each team scored nine points, with the last tie coming at the nine all mark.
An attack error by Nicki Scripko and bad set by Kallie Corbin pushed ASU ahead 11-9, but that would be the Black and Gold's last advantage of the set, as a 7-0 run put Liberty ahead 17-11.
ASU tried to rally a comeback, pushing the score to 20-18 with Lauren Swecker scoring the Mountaineers lone ace of the match and Jechorek slamming home a kill, but that would be as close at it got, with LU squeaking out the close 25-20 victory.
Appalachian continued with its strong play early on in the third set, with Seeds and Jechorek contributing to ASU's offense. Liberty however, grabbed a five point lead at the 12-7 mark, with Mccarty scoring a kill and Rebecca Warren tallying an ace for the Flames.
Errors continued to hinder the Apps who fell behind 16-8, thanks in part to three Appalachian attack errors. Liberty used the ASU mistakes to its advantage, and ran away with the 25-14 set and 3-0 match win.
The Mountaineers return to action Saturday September 19, as they play tournament-host Wake Forest at 12:30 p.m. and then take on ACC-power Duke at 4:30 p.m.
