CHAPEL HILL, N.C.- Appalachian State University volleyball was yet again victorious, as the Black and Gold earned a 3-1 win over Temple Friday afternoon in the opening match of the Tar Heel Volleyball Classic. With the win, ASU improves to an impressive 9-2 on the season, while the Owls fall to 2-8.
Unable to put the match away in the third set, the Black and Gold wasted no time getting down to business in what would be the fourth and final set, as the Apps earned a narrow 25-22 fourth set victory.
Action was close early on, but two kills by junior Maggie Seeds gave ASU the push it needed to jump on top 8-5.
Appalachian's offensive assault did not let up with Seeds and Kelly Rhein pacing the Apps' offensive unit, giving ASU the lopsided 16-11 lead.
Seeds had a stellar outing, as she ended the contest with 12 kills, to go along with two solo blocks and four block assists.
A kill by Alison Blasingame and a Temple error made the score 23-16 in Appalachian's favor, but Temple continued to rally and cut its deficit to just two points down 24-22.
Fortunately for the Mountaineers a final attack Owl attack error was all it took to propel the squad to the three-point win and 3-1 match victory.
ASU grabbed an early 3-1 advantage over Temple, but first set play was a battle as the score was tied on seven more occasions.
Even though the set was hotly contested, it was two Temple miscues that gave the Black and Gold the momentum they needed.
After the set was knotted at 12 all, the Apps posted an unstoppable run, outscoring TU 9-3, to go up 21-15.
Productive blocking, coupled with Temple errors and offensive contributions by Seeds, Kelly Rhein and a Lauren Brown ace helped put ASU in front.
Although dominant, Temple would not back down, coming back within three points at 21-18.
Two Temple errors however proved to be costly, and junior Anna Wagner served ASU to the win, registering back-to-back service aces to give Appalachian the 25-19 first set win.
Second set action got off to a rough start for the Mountaineers, but Appalachian was able to find its footing and rallied after falling behind 4-1.
Two kills by Rhein along with a Meghann Forshey kill and Forshey combining for a block assist with Caroline Sedon, gave ASU its first lead of the set up 6-4.
Forshey was yet again impressive on the offensive front, totaling a match-high 13 kills.
Forshey continued with her strong play as she had two kills to tie action at 15 apiece and keep ASU battling with Temple.
The Owls got on a roll however, and the outcome appeared bleak for ASU who found itself down 21-18.
Down but not out, Appalachian went on a 7-2 run in the waning plays of the set, with Seeds, Blasingame and Sedon all leading the way, and the Appssqueaked out a hard-fought 25-23 second set victory.
The third set saw the Black and Gold's early lead diminish and a 5-0 Temple run give the Owls a 12-7 edge.
Able to make a comeback of sorts, ASU tied play three more times, but Appalachian errors proved to be detrimental and Temple took the third set from the Apps.
Picking up its pace, ASU dominated the fourth set and grabbed its ninth win of the season, trouncing Temple 3-1.
Continuing with tournament action, the Mountaineers play two more matches tomorrow at the Tar Heel Volleyball Classic. ASU first battles tournament-host and Atlantic Coast foe North Carolina at 1 p.m.
