CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Furman volleyball team reached 20 wins on Friday evening when it topped the Western Carolina Catamounts, 3-2 (18-25, 25-22, 25-15, 18-25, 15-12), in Southern Conference action inside the Ramsey Center.

Furman records its first 20-win campaign since 2017 on Friday, improving to 20-7 overall and 11-4 in the SoCon. Western Carolina drops to 7-19 on the season and 3-12 in conference play.

The Paladins had three players finish with double-doubles in Ashley Stein, Brooke Scheffler, and Emily Navarro. Stein led Furman with her sixth double-double of the season on 16 kills and 15 digs, while Scheffler contributed her second double-double with 10 kills and a career high 23 digs. Navarro turned in her team best 10^th double-double of the year on 33 assists and 14 digs. Izzy Castelloe poured in 10 kills and Kennedy Seekford 21 digs.

With her 21 digs in the victory, Seekford moves past Annie Bierman (2013-16) for ninth place all-time in digs.

Samantha Kranzler led four Catamounts in double figure kills with a double-double of 18 kills and 20 digs. Courtney Graham, Tatum Sharp, and Janelle Blue all totaled 11 kills. Katie Boney added a double-double of 54 assists and 17 digs.

Western Carolina jumped out to the early 1-0 lead after claiming a 25-18 win in the opening set. The Paladins posted a .312 hitting percentage but were outhit by the Catamounts' .317 clip. Four different players had three kills for Furman with Navarro adding six assists and Seekford and Ashtan Dodson both recording four digs.

The Paladins bounced back in the second set holding on for a 25-22 win and tying the match at 1-1. Furman limited Western Carolina to only .070 hitting with Scheffler contributing five kills, Navarro six assists and Seekford six digs. The Paladins scored nine of the first 14 points before building a 14-9 advantage when Lindsay Walch connected on a kill. The Catamounts cut Furman's lead down to 20-19 late when the Paladins answered with a 4-2 run, going ahead 24-21 on Castelloe's kill. Castelloe and Tennyson Gorman combined for a block to clinch the set.

Furman took the third set by a 25-15 score led by Gorman's five kills on .833 hitting. Navarro dished out nine assists and Scheffler collected eight digs. The Paladins opened the set on an 11-3 run and led by eight following Eva Wheeler's service ace. Western Carolina got as close as 17-12 midway when Furman concluding the frame on an 8-3 run. Gorman closed out the set with three consecutive kills to claim the 10-point win.

The Catamounts sent the match into a fifth set after winning the fourth, 25-18. The Paladins were held to .083 hitting with Scheffler, Stein, and Kacie Moore all totaling two kills. Navarro tallied five assists and Scheffler six digs.

The fifth set featured six ties and three lead changes with Furman capturing the match with a 15-12 win. The Paladins compiled a .458 hitting percentage led by three kills apiece from Scheffler, Stein, and Grainne McGrath. Navarro registered seven assists and Scheffler four digs. The teams traded the initial 18 points when Furman reeled off four consecutive points, taking a 13-9 lead after Castelloe and McGrath teamed up for a block. Castelloe secured the set, and match, with her kill.

The Paladins concluded the match hitting .215 as a team and had 11 blocks highlighted by Gorman's eight.

Furman finishes the regular season Saturday night when it travels to Chattanooga for a 6 p.m. first serve versus the Mocs. Fans can follow the action on www.furmanpaladins.com via live stats. The match is being streamed via paid subscription on ESPN+. Updates will be posted on the Furman volleyball Twitter page (@FurmanVB).

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