ETSU used timely attacks and limited the Appalachian State offense to defeat the Mountaineers 3-1 in volleyball action Tuesday night from the Holmes Center in Boone, N.C.
The first game saw Appalachian build a 13-8 lead by well-placed attacks.
The Mountaineers would build the lead to as much as six but East Tennessee State battled back to close the gap to one at 19-18. Appalachian then reached a five-point advantage before the Bucs closed within two, forcing an Appalachian timeout at 24-22.
Following the timeout East Tennessee State again rallied to pull within one at 26-25. Appalachian did not waiver as they held off a Buccaneer rally to take the first game 30-27.
Game two started out just as close as the first.
Appalachian again jumped out to an early led at 6-3. The Bucs responded by tying the game at eight each.
ETSU then built a two-point advantage at 10-8 but the Mountaineers responded to tie the match at 11.
The Buccaneers steadily built a three-point advantage at 17-14 that forced a Mountaineer timeout.
Following the timeout, Appalachian continued to use a strong defensive presence at the net to pull even at 20-20.
ETSU regrouped and opened a four-point lead at 25-21, which forced a Mountaineer timeout.
ETSU then took control and took the second game 30-24.
Game three saw Appalachian jump to an early 5-2 advantage. ETSU then struck back to take the lead at 10-8. The Bucs then extended the lead to 19-13. Appalachian continued to battle back and tied the game at 24.
Appalachian staved off eight chances at game point but ETSU finally converted on its nine attempts to take the third game, 38-36.
In game four, the match stayed close as both teams battled to a 5-5 tie.
ETSU then took control by going on an 8-3 run to boost the score to 13-8.
Appalachian would not give up as they cut the Buccaneer lead to two at 18-16.
ETSU rebounded to extend the lead to six at 22-16 to force an Appalachian timeout.
Appalachian could not mount a comeback for the remainder of the match as ETSU ended the match with a 30-23 win in game four.
Katherine Dean who tallied a career-high 20 kills and 13 digs led Appalachian.
Karen Nielson, and Ashley Peterson chipped in with 10 kills each. Claire Reynolds also had a productive night as she handed out 12 kills.
Karen Freeburg led ETSU with 17 kills.
Rachel Shifflet and Lissa Allen also tallied double-digit kills with 15 apiece.
With the win, the Buccaneers move their record to 19-4, 14-4 in conference play.
ETSU will travel to UNC Greensboro on Nov. 9 and then to Davidson on Nov. 10 to close out the regular season.
The SoCon Tournament will be held from Nov. 16-18 in Greensboro, N.C.

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