CULLOWHEE, N.C. (Nov. 14, 2024) – East Tennessee State University volleyball swept Western Carolina 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 34-32) in Cullowhee on Thursday.

The Bucs were led by junior middle blocker Whitley Rammel, who posted 13 kills on .591 hitting. Senior outside hitter Amanda Lowe added nine kills, and senior middle blocker Abbey Thomas had seven blocks (three solo).

The first set was back-and-forth throughout. Freshman outside hitter Makayla Bays tallied five kills for ETSU as the Bucs built a 15-10 lead, but the Catamounts fought back to tie the set at 22 before taking a 23-22 lead. Out of a timeout, Lowe recorded a kill to tie the set and then won it a point later with another to give ETSU the first set, 25-23.

Like the first, neither team built a large lead in the second set. ETSU led 15-10 at the media timeout, but the Catamounts went on a run out of the break to take a 17-16 lead. After a well-timed Buccaneer stoppage, graduate right side Jenna Forster recorded one of her four kills in the set and ETSU took a lead after a solo block from Thomas on the next point. The Blue & Gold didn't trail again, with junior outside hitter Brianna Cantrell notching back-to-back kills to give the Bucs a 25-21 set win.

The final frame was ETSU's longest of the 2024 campaign. The Bucs led throughout the early part of the set, but the feisty Catamounts refused to let up, tying the set at 24 and then took their first match point, but Lowe brought the Bucs back to a tie with a kill, then did it again after a WCU score to save a second set point. The Catamounts would get one more set point, at 30-29, but Cantrell hammered a kill to save the third set point for ETSU. After a WCU attack error at 32-all, sophomore setter Enisilina Savelio finished the set and match with an ace.

Next, ETSU returns home for its senior night at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 against Chattanooga at Brooks Gym. All fans that attend the ETSU-Furman football game at noon receive free admission to volleyball with their football ticket.

For more information on Buccaneer volleyball, follow @ETSUVolleyball on X (Twitter) and Instagram, and visit ETSUBucs.com.