Sept. 6, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. - Western Michigan dished out a rude awakening to Western Carolina Saturday morning, building leads of 10-2, 11-3 and 8-3 en route to a three-set sweep (25-12, 25-15, 25-14) at the Redbird Classic at Redbird Arena.
Western Michigan (5-0) established a large lead early in the opening set, scoring 10 of first 12 points behind three service aces from Jaime Gotham. After a quick timeout, the Catamounts (0-6) were able to cut the lead to five but couldn't draw any closer to Western Michigan.
In the second set, Western Michigan scored the first five points, including four points during Michelle Moore's service, and built a 11-3 lead. Western Carolina again trimmed the deficit, pulling within three after a 6-0 run, but the Broncos rallied to take the set 25-15.
The Broncos had another quick start in the third set, building an 8-3 lead. Western Michigan used a 7-0 run to push the lead from 15-11 to
21-11 and closed the set and the match with a 25-14 win.
Katie Eberling led Western Michigan with 13 kills, and Gotham and Moore added 11 each. Jillian Mitchell contributed 31 assists. Western Michigan hit .370 for the match and extended its season-opening winning streak to four matches. Western Michigan out-aced Western Carolina 8-0.
Carrie Minogue paced Western Carolina with six kills as the team was held to .062 hitting. The Catamounts dropped their 18th set of the season and have won just one set in six losses through the early schedule.
Both teams will continue play later Saturday afternoon, with Western Carolina facing Oakland at 5:00 p.m. (CT) and Western Michigan tangling with host-school Illinois State in the nightcap at 7:05.
