ASHEVILLE, N.C. – College of Charleston finished the opening day of the Blue Ridge Classic with a sweep of Western Carolina (25-12, 25-22, 25-23) Friday at the Harrah's Cherokee Center.
 
The Cougars dropped their first game in five sets (25-23, 23-25, 22-25, 25-21, 5-15) to Bradley in the morning match.
 
Against the Catamounts, freshman Caroline Noonan tallied 16 kills and five blocks while the Cougar defense held Western Carolina to a .094 attacking percentage.
 
CRITICAL POINTS AGAINST BRADLEY:

• Noonan and sophomore Emma Duffield had 16 and 14 kills, respectively.
• CofC had 83 digs in the setback, led by freshman Jumana Martin's 30.
• The Cougars had a season-best 9 blocks with five different players recording multiple blocks.
• Charleston hit .325 in the fourth set with 17 kills.
• Juniors Lauren Dow and Lainee Mack each had 25 assists.

 
CRITICAL POINTS AGAINST WESTERN CAROLINA:

• CofC hit .393 in the first set, holding the Catamounts to just nine kills and a .100 hitting percentage.
• Martin and sophomore Cole Crews each dished out a pair of service aces.
• Noonan had five blocks for the second straight match and added on 10 kills.
• Charleston held its opponent below a .100 attacking percentage for the second time this season.

 
OF NOTE:

• Charleston faced Bradley for the first time in program history.
• CofC improves to 22-8 against Western Carolina and have won 20 consecutive matches.
• 10 of Noonan's 14 blocks this season have come in two matches Friday.
• Duffield collected her first career double-double with 14 kills and 11 digs against Bradley.

 
UP NEXT:
Charleston concludes the Blue Ridge Classic with a 2 p.m. contest Saturday against Charlotte.
 
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