BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State University dropped its second-straight match of the Black and Gold Invitational in a five-set thriller against Wofford 3-2 (21-25, 25-20, 25-23, 21-25, 14-16) on Saturday.

The Mountaineers (2-3) were led by Emma Longley who finished with a double-double. Longley tallied a match-high 27 kills and collected 14 digs in the effort.

Two other Mountaineers finished with double-digit kills. Melissa McMath totaled 13 kills, while true freshman Mikel Coleman finished a career-high 10 kills. 

Defensively, Olivia Loeffler led the way with a career-high 25 digs, while Kati Stammen and Kennedy Wilson collected 10 digs each.

Junior setter Ashlyn Brown tallied a double-double with 37 assists and 12 digs. Amanda Krahl contributed 16 assists.

Appalachian fell behind in the first set and were down by as many as four at 20-16 - forcing a Mountaineer timeout. The Apps would claw to within two on three different occasions but two costly errors sealed the set for Wofford.

In the second set, Appalachian State let a three-point advantage dwindle down to one at 21-20 before a 4-0 run keyed by a Longley kill tied the match at 1-1.

The Mountaineers found themselves down four points at 21-17 in a crucial third set before an 8-2 run gave the Apps a set victory and 2-1 lead in the match. The run was started by a Terrier service error and included kills from Longley, McMath and a combination of Terrier errors.

Early in the fourth set, App State held a slim advantage, but a 6-1 run by Wofford put the Terriers up 17-13 and they would hold on despite Appalachian pulling to within one point and tie the match with a 25-21 set win, setting up a decisive fifth set.

Wofford dominated the early portion of the fifth set and led 10-3 - seemingly ready to put the match away. App State crawled back with kills from both Longley and McMath, while a kill from Coleman coupled with a Terrier errors brought the Apps to within one at 13-12.

With the match tied at 14-14, back-to-back Terrier kills clinched the set and match for Wofford.

Appalachian State will play once more in the Black and Gold Invitational this evening with a 7 p.m. showdown with the Ohio Bobcats.