Seventh-seeded Chattanooga won the first two games and held on in five to pull the championship’s first upset defeating second seeded Buccaneers 3-2 in the third match of the 2001 Southern Conference Volleyball Championships at Fleming Gymnasium on the campus of UNC Greensboro.
Chattanooga (18-13) took the first two games 30-25 and 30-27. However, ETSU battled back in game three using a strong start and an 8-1 run midway through to cruise to a 30-16 win.
The Bucs again started well in game four, racing to a 20-9 lead en route to a 30-19 win, forcing game five.
In the deciding game, ETSU jumped out to a 5-1 lead before Chattanooga mounted a 9-0 run to take a 10-5 lead forcing the Bucs to call a time-out.
After the break, ETSU broke the Lady Mocs serve, but could not complete the comeback, falling 15-9.
Four Bucs had double-doubles, led by Amber Ciskowski who tallied 14 kills and 15 digs. Karen Freeburg finished with 12 kills and 15 digs, Lissa Allen had 10 kills, 11 digs. Natalie Atzinger led the Bucs with a match-high 21 kills.
Carey Cavanaugh who was hampered by a leg injury, recorded a double-double with 60 assists and 15 digs.
The Bucs finished their season with a 20-6 record, with their best winning percentage since 1991 and their most conference wins in school history.
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