OCTOBER 27, 2000

APPALACHIAN STATE VOLLEYBALL DEFEATS FURMAN, 3-2

Paladins and Mountaineers Battle in Five Close Games

GREENVILLE, SCJunior Karin Neilson (Mt. Pleasant, SC) recorded 22 kills and 11 digs to lead the Appalachian State volleyball team to a 3-2 win over Furman Friday night at Timmons Arena. With the win, the Mountaineers improve to 11-14 overall and 8-6 in the Southern Conference. Furman, the league leader, falls to 11-14 overall and 10-3 in the conference.

The Mountaineers won game one 15-10, then the Paladins took game two 15-12. Furman built an 11-4 lead in game three, but Appalachian State came back to tie the game at 13, then won the game 15-13. The Mountaineers jumped out to a 5-0 lead in game four, before the Paladins scored eight-straight points on their way to a 11-6 advantage. Appalachian State roared back to tie the match at 11-11, before Furman won game four 15-12. After a 4-4 tie in game five, the Mountaineers broke away for a 15-6 victory.

Furman sophomore Abby Simon (Simpsonville, SC) recorded 20 kills and seven digs, while sophomore Carrie Rowley (Lighthouse Pt., Fla.) had 18 kills and 13 digs. Junior Laura Hooks (Kingsport, TN) led the team with 61 assists and 20 digs, while hitting .353 with seven kills. Freshman Amber Montague (Plano, TX) had 11 kills and 14 digs, and sophomore Laura Bush (Kingsport, TN) had 13 kills and 12 digs.

Appalachian State freshman Jackie Jennings hit .600 for the evening, with 21 kills and six blocks. Sophomore Claire Reynolds tallied 15 kills and four blocks, and freshman Katherine Dean had 13 kills and 12 digs in the win.

Furman will face East Tennessee State on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Timmons Arena.