American Edges Volleyball In Thrilling Fashion To Conclude Spartan-Aggie Invitational

"We played a really great team tonight, a Top-100 team, and took them to five sets, so I am really proud of our squad," head coach Patrick Nicholas said. "I hope we can learn from this and start to take some more steps forward as a team."

Freshman Katherine Santiago continued the sensational start to her career in the match, racking up a match and career-high 32 digs. She was named the tournament's top libero and earned a spot on the all-tournament team for her efforts during the weekend as she averaged 5.15 digs per set. Sophomore Vicky Harley was also recognized on the all-tournament team, piling up a .259 hitting percentage as well as 1.18 blocks per set during the event.

In Saturday night's match, junior Karrian Chambers fell just short of a career best, racking up 20 kills on 51 swings with nine errors to post a .216 hitting mark. However, she did tally a personal-high four aces - all in the fourth set. Redshirt junior Olivia Humphries also reached double figures offensively with 10 kills. Sophomore Emily McMurtrey continued to display growth, dishing out 49 assists and putting down five kills. Additionally, junior Kellie Orewiler chipped in 14 digs to aid the Spartan cause.

The teams were virtually even in many statistical categories, both recording 60 kills while the Eagles had a slight advantage in assists (57-56) and digs (78-75). American arguably won the match at the net, posting 15.0 blocks as compared to 8.0 for the home side. The Eagles also hit .207, which included a .281 showing in the fifth frame, while limiting UNCG to a .152 performance.

American jumped out to a 4-1 advantage on a Harley attacking error, but Kylann Scheidt returned the favor a few points later, allowing the Spartans to tied things at six apiece. It was a tight frame throughout, until two-straight errors gave the visitors a 19-16 cushion. UNCG would force tie scores at 20, 21, 22 and 23, but two Eagle kills pushed American over the top and to a 25-23 victory.

The Spartans fell behind 8-4 in the second interval and couldn't recover. The Eagles quickly ended the set by out-scoring UNCG 17-8.

Coming out of the intermission, a Chambers kill pushed the Spartans in front by a 10-7 count. American responded with three-straight points to knot the score at 10. After a Bree Scarborough kill kept the set tied at 19, two kills and an Eagle attacking miscue afforded UNCG a 22-19 lead. American would call timeout, but the Spartans had just enough to stave off their guests – taking the third set by two points at 26-24.

UNCG took control of the fourth interval and led 12-7 when Humphries pounded the ball down on the Eagles' side. American's subsequent timeout backfired as Chambers scored three of the next four points to make it a 16-7 score. An Eagle block made things interesting and pulled American to within 17-13, but the Spartans allowed the visitors just three more points and cruised to a 25-16 win. UNCG would play a deciding fifth set for the third time in the last four matches.

Things looked grim for the Blue and Gold early in the decider as the Eagles grabbed leads of 8-5 and 10-7, but a timeout proved beneficial for the Spartans as they rattled off three-straight points – including a kills from Humphries and Chambers. After a kill by Sara Rishell made it match point for her team at 14-12, UNCG received kills from an unlikely combination of McMurtrey and Santiago to ward off two of American's potential game-winning rallies. The Spartans were able to tie the score at 15 and 16 before two kills allowed the Eagles to escape with an 18-16 victory and the match.

UNCG continues its seven-match homestand Thursday, Sept. 13, when it hosts Ohio University. First serve at Fleming Gymnasium is slated for 7 p.m.

Sara Rishell - American

Allison Cappellino - American

Anna Moore - UNC Asheville

Holly Shelton - UNC Asheville

Brooke Stamnes - North Carolina A&T

Tournament MVP - Kelly McCaddin - American