AKRON, OHIO- After winning the first set in convincing fashion, Appalachian State University volleyball was not able to hang on Saturday afternoon, as the Mountaineers suffered just their second loss of the 2010 campaign, falling 3-1 to Indiana State. The defeat is the Black and Gold's first loss away from the Holmes Center this season and drops the Apps to 8-2 on the season while Indiana State improves to 7-4.

Picking up where they left off Friday evening, the Apps jumped out to an impressive 6-2 lead, with Anna Wagner, Alison Blasingame and Meghann Forshey all pacing the team's offensive unit.

Indiana State hung around however, and the Mountaineers squandered their once-commanding lead, with sloppy play hindering the Black and Gold, and the Sycamores took their first lead of the set.

A battle between the two teams ensued as action was tied five more times with the last time at 13 all, before a Kelly Rhein kill provided ASU the surge it needed to regain the lead for good.

Posting a dominating 8-2 streak, Appalachian jumped back on top going up 21-15, with offensive contribution coming from all over, as Wagner, Forshey and Maggie Seeds tallied kills.

Keeping with their solid showing, the Apps rolled to a 25-18 first set victory.

The Sycamores wasted no time evening the match, as ISU went up 4-0 early in second set play off of an ace and three kills.

Appalachian did not let up, coming back within one point, down just 14-13 with Seeds pacing the offense.

Clinging to their one point advantage, the Sycamores picked up their play, while capitalizing off of ASU attack errors and took their largest lead of the set at 22-17.

ISU outscored ASU 11-5 after leading by one at the 14-13 mark and evened the match score at one apiece, taking the second set by a score of 25-18.

Unable to really get anything going, third set play was tied at three all before Indiana State took over for good.

Despite a solid effort, Appalachian was never able to find a rhythm and once ISU grabbed the lead it never relinquished it.

Two consecutive Sycamore attack errors made it interesting, as the Apps were able to cut their deficit to just two points, down 13-11.

Not letting up, Indiana State kept its advantage with Morgan Dall leading the way for the Sycamores.

Forshey tried to rally a Mountaineer attack, recording a kill, but Appalachian errors and a productive Indiana State offensive attack earned ISU the third set win and 2-1 mach lead.

It was all Indiana State in the fourth and what would be final set as the Mountaineers struggled with ISU notching a commanding 15-3 lead.

Blasingame, Wagner and Forshey tried to get the Apps back in it, cutting their deficit to just 8 points, down 20-12, but unfortunately it was not enough as the Sycamores handed the Apps a 10-point fourth set and 3-1 match defeat.

Appalachian will return to action Friday, September 17 as the Mountaineers head to the Tar Heel Volleyball Classic. ASU will battle Temple first at 4:30 p.m. in UNC's Carmichael Arena.

Akron Invitational all-Tournament team

Kiya James
Loni Mackinson
Alison Blasingame
Meghann Forshey
Morgan Kuhn