BOONE, N.C.- Appalachian State University volleyball posted a quite impressive 2010 home-opening debut Friday evening, as the Black and Gold routed Eastern Kentucky to the tune of 3-0. With the win the Black and Gold improve to a spotless 5-0 on the season, matching its best start to a campaign since 2002, and winning its home opener for the first time in two seasons. The loss drops Eastern Kentucky to 1-3 overall.

The first set was a back and forth affair, as it was knotted seven different times before the ten point mark. Once the set was tied at 10 all, it was back-to-back kills by juniors Kelly Rhein and Anna Wagner and a block assist by Maggie Seeds and Allison Blasingame that gave Appalachian a 13-10 advantage.

Another Rhein kill earned the Mountaineers its fourth-straight point, but Eastern Kentucky would not let up easily, coming back to tie the match at 15 apiece.

Senior Caroline Sedon stepped up when it counted as she put the Apps on top for good, slamming home a kill to make the score 16-15 in Appalachian's favor.

The Black and Gold led by as many as five points, up 22-17, with Wagner registering another kill on the night.

Despite Eastern Kentucky pulling back within three points, a final Colonel service error and Allison Blasingame kill propelled the Black and Gold to the hard-fought 25-22 first set win.

Eeerily similar to first set play, the two teams traded the lead in the early goings of second set action, before Blasingame put the Mountaineers on top for good, going up 10-9.

Offensive production came from all over for ASU, with Blasingame, Rhein and Seeds contributing to Appalachian's strong performance, enabling the squad to jump out to a 20-14 advantage.

EKU tried to creep back into the set, cutting ASU's six point cushion down to two, but back-to-back kills by Rhein to close out the set, gave Appalachian the 25-21 second set win.

Rhein was stellar offensively yet again, totaling a match-high 16 kills on 32 attacks, along with posting 13 digs. The double-digit performance was the second of the season for the Virginia transfer.

It appeared Appalachian would cruise to the third set win, after jumping out to a 6-1 lead, as the Apps were able to capitalize on four early Eastern Kentucky attack errors.

However, the Colonels would not back down, as they were able to cut their deficit to just two points at 9-7.

An 8-2 ASU streak squashed any EKU hopes of mustering a comeback, with the Mountaineers making the set score 17-9 in their favor.

Sophomore Meghann Forshey carried ASU during the run, combining for a block assist with Sedon and earning a kill.

It was smooth sailing the rest of the set, as two late points by Rhein and Wagner pushed the Apps to the ten point third set win and 3-0 match victory.

The 2010 Appalachian Invitational continues tomorrow, as the Black and Gold take to the court twice at both 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. ASU first hosts USC Upstate and then battles Horizon League foe Valparaiso in the tournament finale.

Complete coverage of the 2010 Appalachian Invitational, including live stats, live webstreaming and box scores can be found by clicking here.