CONWAY, S.C. -- Appalachian State volleyball posted a thrilling 3-2 (25-21, 18-25, 25-20, 20-25, 16-14) at Coastal Carolina on Sunday afternoon.
App State now stands at 15-7 on the season and 7-3 in Sun Belt play, while the Chanticleers fall to 6-11 and 5-4 in the Sun Belt. The Mountaineers entered the weekend sitting half a game behind the Chanticleers in the Sun Belt East Division standings. Friday's sweep of Coastal Carolina along with Sunday's win now gives the Black and Gold a game and a half lead in the Sun Belt East Division.
In the first set, the Chanticleers opened up a 20-15 edge late in the frame. From there, App State scored seven consecutive points to jump in front 22-20. Following a Coastal Carolina point, the Black and Gold benefited from a bad Chanticleer set and kills from
Victoria Wilform and
Kara Spicer to cap the comeback.
After Coastal Carolina won the second frame 25-18, App State used a 5-0 run to take a 11-9 advantage in Set 3. The Mountaineers used a 3-0 spurt to open a 20-14 lead and a kill from
Becky Porter clinched the set for the Black and Gold by a 25-20 count.
The Chanticleers won the fourth set 25-20 to set up a deciding fifth set.
In the final set, Coastal Carolina took control early and built a 11-8 lead. App State countered with the next three points, capped by a
Sydney Hinds service ace to tie the score at 11-11. The teams found themselves tied at 13-13, before a bad Chanticleer set put the Black and Gold in front 14-13. After Coastal Carolina tied the score at 14-14,
Emma Longley put the Mountaineers on top 15-14 with a kill. On match point,
Melissa McMath finished off the victory with a kill.
Longley posted her second double-double of the season with a team-high 18 kills and 12 digs. Wilform added 13 kills and Spicer chipped in with 12 kills and four blocks (three solo, one assist).
Porter tallied 49 assists to go along with eight digs. On defense,
Sydney Farthing recorded a career-high 26 digs, while
Emma Reilly added 21. Reilly has now reached double figures in digs in all but two Mountaineer contests this season.
The Black and Gold finished with 59 kills in the victory, while hitting .165. The Mountaineers also tallied seven service aces.
Appalachian State will return to Boone for four straight home contests, beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m. against South Alabama. The Mountaineers own a two-match lead on the Jaguars in the Sun Belt East Division.
