• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_2018-11-05_Vol88_No02_05

The Western Carolinian ite RTS November 5, 2018 AS Womens Soccer Fights but Falls Short Against ETSU - Emma Kaye Thomas Sports Editor On Sept. 29, West- . ern Carolina Uni- versitys soccer team played against East Tennessee State Uni- versity. T felt super confi- dent going into the game considering we had been undefeated in conference so far, stated Natalia Icen, the sophomore goalie for the Western Caro- lina Womens Soccer Team, speaking on the Lady Cats game against Eastern Ten- nessee State Univer- sity on September 29, _ As the game started, the crowd cheered as they watched their Lady Cats take on the Lady Buccaneers. As the game started, and the sun began to sink, Emma Kaye Thomas Sports Editor On Sept. 27, 2018, Western Carolina Universitys Womens Volleyball team played against the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Spartans. The womens volley- ball team at Western Carolina has always been known as a dif- ficult team to compete against, but the Lady Spartans were an equally fierce opponent. Morgan Williams, a sophomore here at Western, and the right-side hitter for the volleyball team talked. commented:on how: the team was feeling before the game started. Prior to playing UNGG, we were ex- pecting a tough match where we'd need to focus and maintain a people in. the stands slowly began to watch as the Lady Cats were working harder and harder to keep the game up, until sud- denly, the Lady Buc- caneers scored. If I had to describe the emotion on the field in one word, it would be determina- tion. Every player was determined to do their job to ultimately score a goal, Icen said. As for the bench, they are there I lift players and the team up in times of hardship and of bliss. The fans were awesome! They came up with cheers and created a fun atmo- sphere to play in. With halftime ap- proaching, the Lady Buccaneers lead the Lady Cats 1-0. The home crowd never _ Stopped supporting their Lady Cats. West- ern Carolina faculty, were standing up and creating cheers for the fans to participate in as people continued to pile into the stadium, and the energy in the stadium didnt stop at halftime. In the locker room though, the story was a little different. The Lady Cats were focus- ing on how to win the game. Our coach took us into the locker room and was disap- pointed, like the rest of the team, that we were down a goal, but he uplifted us and encouraged us by let- ting us know we had a whole other half to play. said Icen. Al- though the first half was difficult for the Lady Cats, they were not planning on giv- ing up that easily, and their coach agreed with them full-heart- edly. We had most of the possession dur- ing that half so we talked about tactics that would help us get more opportuni- ties on goal, stated Icen. Even though we were down a goal, we were still positive and determined to beat ETSU. These waves of positivity were due to the whole team coming together and lifting each other up and there wasnt a doubt in our minds that we could compete with ETSU. As the Lady Cats came out of the locker room for the sec- ond half, the energy flowed from the field to the stands as play- ers and fans were cheering hard for another Catamount victory. As the clock started to tick down in the second half, the Lady Cats were still down one goal, but they kept pushing for the win. In the end, the Lady Cats fell to the Lady Buccaneers | to 0 After the game we were all disappointed that we did not get the 3 points that we need- ed that weekend to be first in the SoCon, or the Southern Con- ference, which is the sports conference that our school is a part of. But we played our hearts out, left every- thing on the field but still came up short. Sometimes that hap- pens, said Icen. But, this also gave us touch of determination for the next weekend. We are such a great team and knowing all the depth and discipline we have on our team, I have no doubt that we will come back from Samford and Chattanooga success- ful. The Lady Cats Soccer Team will be taking on Chatta- nooga at Chattanooga on October 5th at 7 p.m. and Samford University in Bir- mingham, Alabama on October 7th at 7 p.m. To learn more about how to support your lady cats and to see when games are, go to www.cata- mountsports.com for more information. Volleyball Takes the Victory Against UNCG positive attitude so that we could execute every play., stated Williams. Before every game, I lead the team in prayer. But if it needs to not require religion, another thing we do before every game is huddle up and say this years quote before we run onto the court for our warm ups, so that we can be focused and prepared. As the 3-set match began, and a 25-19 win over the Lady Spartans in the first set, the Lady Cats confidence rose. Ryan Messer, a junior at Western who is a regular attendee of the volleyball games on campus said, I went to the volleyball game because I enjoy watch- ing the game, and also enjoy supporting WCU athletes. I love seeing the competitiveness drive the girls display. They get fired up after every point and it gets the crowd into it! As the match went on, the Lady Cats continued to win every set. Wil- liams explained what it felt like to be on court throughout the match. As we won each set last week in our 3-set match, the positive ener- gy only escalated. Both the girls on the bench and those on the court, were ecstatic and cheer- ing after every point. The team chemistry was great which really contributed to everyone playing together and " The people who came > to the game could see the dedication and hard work the players put into their game, and the players made sure that ,in a win, > said it was evident how bad they wanted this win against the Lady Spar- tans. Messer said, If I could use one word to describe what our womens volleyball team is like, I would use the word perseverance. Our girls fight always whether theyre up and down, until the very end. At the end of the game, the Lady Cats won with a 3-0 match win, winning all three . sets by 5 or more points. My favorite part of the game was probably the second set when we had an 11-pointlead against UNCG which led to really good, fun and positive energy on our side of the net, said Williams, reflecting on her favorite memory of the win. Games like this one are what make West- erns athletic program so amazing and inspir- . ing for future college athletes. Even for those who came to college and are not classified as athletes, these games and events allow the Catamount community to come together as one and support their fellow classmates and friends. This game showed the true talent of the West- ern athletic department, and also allowed those who have never been classified as an athlete, learn how Western ath- letics represents them- selves. Students should go to the volleyball games for multiple reasons, said Messer as he thought back on how much fun the game was. College is about getting involved in as many things as you can and supporting the sporting teams is a great way to do that. Everyone fits in while in the crowd, and its an enjoyable atmosphere. Its a fun place to be, and the girls would truly appreciate as big of a crowd as they can get. The Lady Cats are scheduled to play Fur- man University at home on October 5th at 6 p.m. and Wofford University at home on October 6th at 6 p.m. The Lady Cats would appreciate all the support fom their fellow classn and family! Tf intere in going to a game or ~ wanting more ieee tion on the Lady Cats Volleyball Team, visit : www.catamountsport. com for more informa- tion. Emma Kaye Thomas Sports Editor On Nov. 3, 2018, the Western Carolina Catamounts took on The Citadel Bulldogs in their annual homecoming game. With many expec- tations of the cats gaining a win, the team came into this game with much anticipation and hope for another catamount win in their own stadium. During the first quarter of the game, the Cata- mounts, led by quarter- back Tyrie Adams, were able to gain a three point lead against the Citadel Bulldogs due to a defen- sive touchback and a field goal. During this quarter though, the Catamounts were only able to gain 68 yards compared to the Bulldogs 156 yards. Throughout the second quarter, the catamounts continued to show their strength through their defensive side and very energetic offensive line. In a matter of 15 minutes, the Catamounts were able to gain a 14 point lead against the Bulldogs, 24 to 10. Andrew Browder, an athletic trainer for the Western Carolina Foot- ball Team, explained the energy on the field before _ half time and in the locker room during halftime; The energy before halftime was amazing. It was one of the better first halves that we have put together, from a team aspect, for sure. You get the feel from the players that you all know you are playing good. Histori- cally, we are never really good against the run, so for the first half and the Citadel only scoring ten points, that meant a lot to the team, and we were very confident about it. As the third quarter began, and both teams began to get more tired as the long day continued, the catamounts began to find themselves in a little more of a difficult spot. In the first five minutes of the third quarter, the Bulldogs were able to block a punt, and run through three different plays to eventually score a touchdown, reigning in the Catamounts lead _ to seven points, 24 to 17. With around two minutes remaining in the third quarter, and the Cata- mounts not putting any more points on the board, another punt was blocked. by the Citadel, and was ran for another touch- down. By the end of the third quarter, the Cata- mounts were tied with the Bulldogs 24 to 24. During the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs were able to score another touchdown, making the score 31-24, and allowing the Catamounts to have 21 unanswered points. Soon after this, the Bull- dogs were able to score again, making the score 38 to 24, and having 28 unanswered points in the completed second half. Andrew Browder said on the sad loss of the game and the feelings from the sidelines, After the game, the team was just really down. When a team comes that close to doing something you know you can do, and you do not accomplish it, you get very frustrated. Overall, we know that there is so much than what we see. As a team, we know that we are bet- ter than what is being put on the field, so the locker room was definitely a little down, but I know that they will be able to get over it and accomplish so much in the future. The final score of the game was 38 to 24, with the Bulldogs taking the win. The final home game of the season for the Catamounts will be on November 10, 2018 against the Wofford Ter- riers at E.J. Whitmire Stadium. To purchase your tickets or find out more information on the Western Carolina Foot- ball Team, go to cata- mountsports.com. Photo submitted by Mark Haskett Photo submitted by Mark Haskett

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
  • Text
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 2018-11-05
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.5" x 11.25"
  • Pages: 12
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
  • Western Carolina University -- Periodicals
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_2018-11-05_Vol88_No02
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library