Sept. 21, 2001

Stats

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte 49ers volleyball team opened their Conference USA season in grand fashion Friday, defeating arch-rival Cincinnati, 3-1, at Halton Arena. The win is the 49ers' fifth in a row.

Charlotte (7-2, 1-0 C-USA) earned the win in four games, led by double-double performances from Kathleen Ramos and Courtney Burg. Ramos paced the team with 21 kills and 22 digs, while Burg finished with 10 kills and 15 digs. Becky Stahl was the top hitter for Cincinnati (2-5, 0-1 in C-USA) with 25 kills and 10 digs.

The 49ers and Bearcats battled throughout the match with the four games decided by an average of just over four points. The Niners went up 2-0 and threatened to sweep with a 30-27 win in game one and a 31-29 win in game two. Cincinnati responded in the third game, taking a 25-15 lead. Charlotte pulled to within five late, but eventually fell, 30-24. In the fourth game, Megan Mosness' kill broke a 25-25 tie, which was soon followed by a pair of kills from Ramos. The Niners clinched the game, 30-25, and the match on a Cincinnati attack error.

Charlotte returns to action Saturday night, when they host Louisville at 7:00. Admission is $3 for adults, while youth 17-and-under and Charlotte students are admitted free.