CLEMSON, S.C. –– After taking the first set 25-23, Appalachian State University volleyball was held in check and UNC Wilmington grabbed the next three sets (25-23, 25-19, 25-21) to win the match, 3-1.

The Mountaineers (1-1) got off to a strong start in the first set – jumping out to a commanding 17-9 advantage. Jess Keller garnered five kills in that span, while Emily Corrigan recorded four. UNCW would rally to tie the set at 23-23, but an attack error and a Corrigan kill would give the Apps the early 1-0 lead.

Six of Corrigan's 18 total kills came in the first set, while Keller tallied five of her match-high 24 kills in the Mountaineers' first set victory.

UNCW came out in the second set firing on all cylinders and flipped the page on the Mountaineers. The Seahawks got off to a fast start and at one point led the Mountaineers 17-9. A 12-4 App State run, highlighted by four-straight Keller kills, tied the set at 21-21. Two attack errors were too much to overcome late and UNCW would take the second set, 25-23.

Similar to the second set, UNCW would create a seven-point advantage and lead the set 16-9. App State would rally six unanswered points to bring it to within two, but the Seahawks maintained their advantaged and pulled away to take the set 25-19.

With a 2-1 match lead, the fourth set was set up to be a battle between the two squads. The set would start as a see-saw battle with UNCW taking four-straight points with the score tied 6-6 to lead 10-6.

After extending its lead to 14-9, App State fired right back and found points with two kills from Ashton Gregory and a kill each from Corrigan, Keller and Alana Shoff.

Both teams continued to match the other and remained tied at 17-17. A small 5-1 run would give UNCW some breathing room and a 22-18 advantage. App State would draw closer and trail 23-21 following a timeout. Corrigan and Keller recorded kills and with the help of a UNCW attack error, trailed by two.

Unfortunately, a Seahawk kill and service ace would end the Mountaineers' hope of a dramatic comeback to force a fifth and final set.

Paige Brown paced the Mountaineer offense with a season-high 52 assists, while also contributing 16 digs. Meghan Mahoney led the defense and tallied a team-high and match-high 24 digs. Gregory tallied eight kills, while Shoff finished with five and Vera Horstmann contributed two.

The Apps were held to a .202 hitting percentage, while the Seahawks recorded a .219 hitting percentage. In all, there were 17 tie scores and three lead changes in the match.

Appalachian will conclude the Big Orange Bash later this evening when they square off against host Clemson at 7 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at appstatesports.com.