UNCG drops home opener to Marshall

GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNC Greensboro never recovered after dropping the first game as Marshall stayed undefeated by defeating the Spartans, 3-0, on Wednesday evening in Fleming Gymnasium. The game scores were, 25-18, 25-18 and 25-19.

The Spartans fell to an even 4-4 on the season, while the Thundering Herd moved to 9-0 to continue its record-breaking start.

"I thought we played real well for the first 15 minutes, but we began to play less as a team after that and it showed in the score," said head coach Patrick Nicholas. "I was disappointed with our effort tonight because I felt as though this would be a highly competitive match. We need to get back to work in practice on all facets of the game in order to prepare not only for UCF on Friday, but the rest of the season as well."

Senior Emily Lindborg led the Spartans offensively with eight kills and Catherine Hanners and Caley Redden each added six kills. Hanners led UNCG with 17 digs, while Ari Lysacek had 25 assists in the match.

The two teams traded points early in the first game before Redden delivered back-to-back-to-back aces to give the Spartans a 14-13 lead. The Thundering Herd responding by taking nine of the next 10 points on their way to winning the game, 25-18.

The Spartans fell behind 11-6 early in the match on an attack error and were never able to recover. After trailing 18-11, UNCG pulled within 20-15, but it wasn't enough as Marshall took the second game, 25-18.

The third set was much of the same as UNCG fell behind early, 10-3. The Spartans rallied once again near the end of the game, but fell 25-19 to seal the win for the Thundering Herd.

The Spartans return to the court on Friday evening as they host UCF in Fleming Gymnasium at 7 p.m.

AGATE

Marshall def. UNC Greensboro: 25-18, 25-18, 25-19

Marshall (9-0) (Kills-aces-blocks) - SCHAD, Katy 14-1-0; MARCUM, Kristin 9-1-1; SULLIVAN, Emily 7-0-3; FLEMING, Elizabeth 3-0-1; HERMAN, Elizabeth 2-3-4; YOHO, Cameron 2-0-4; Totals 37-5-7.0. (Assists) - FLEMING, Elizabeth 29. (Dig leaders) - MARCUM, Kristin 16; HERMAN, Elizabeth 9; SCHAD, Katy 9; FLEMING, Elizabeth 9; MILLIGAN, Ryanne 8

UNC Greensboro (4-4) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Emily Lindborg 8-0-1; Caley Redden 6-3-1; Catherine Hanners 6-1-1; Olivia Humphries 4-0-1; Billi Baker 3-0-0; Alissa Beaudway 1-0-1; Arielle Lysacek 1-0-0; Totals 29-4-3.0. (Assists) - Arielle Lysacek 25. (Dig leaders) - Catherine Hanners 17; Caley Redden 11; Arielle Lysacek 10; Kayleigh Knerr 9

Site: Greensboro, N.C. (Fleming Gym)
Date: Sep 09, 2009   Attend: 273   Time: 1:20   
Referees: Tad Watson, Peggy Schafer

- UNCG -