BOONE - The North Carolina A&T volleyball team struggled against a tough Appalachian State team, who was enjoying its home opener on Tuesday night in the Holmes Center.

The Aggies were swept by the Mountaineers by 25-12, 25-11, 25-14.

"This is the first time I feel like we got out-muscled," said A&T head coach Hal Clifton.  "We got hit in the jaw and staggered the rest of the match.  App was tough, and we hung in as long as we could.  We just couldn't match up."   

The Mountaineers collected 15 more kills than the Aggies.  The Mountaineers also took advantage of Aggie errors, as they won set point in each of the three sets on an A&T service error.  Senior Andrea Evans led the team with seven kills and two solo blocks.  Evans also finished the contest with a team-best .500 hitting percentage, making just one error in 12 attempts.   

In the first set, the Aggies and Mountaineers traded points early.  A block by Evans tied the set at 4, and moments later a kill by freshman setter Ali Way knotted the score at 5.  But then the Mountaineers went on a 11-1 run, powered by four kills from Dalton Tolliver. A kill by freshman Brooke Stamnes ended the run, but the Aggies couldn't overcome the deficit. 

In the following set, an ASU attack error gave A&T a 3-2 lead.  But that lead was short-lived.  The Mountaineers took a 13-9 lead and then collected 10 straight points to make it a 23-9 set.

In the third set, an early 7-0 run helped ASU take control of the game. The Aggies will travel to Campbell on Saturday for a 3 p.m., match.  The Aggies will then begin a six-game homestand starting on Sunday at 2 p.m., against High Point.  The Aggies will be looking to rebound in their final few matches before starting MEAC competition on Friday, Sept. 28 against N.C. Central.