Box Score

Greensboro, NC — The UNCG volleyball team won its second consecutive game Friday night in a five game thriller against East Tennesse State. The win moves the Spartans to 4-17 on the year and 2-7 in the Southern Conference. ETSU falls to 5-12 overall and 3-6 in the SoCon.

The Spartans opened game one with a huge 8-1 advantage behind strong play by Lori Collins (Fr./Keeling, VA) who recorded two of the eight points. East Tennessee State regrouped to close the gap to two points at 17-19, forcing a Spartan timeout. After the timeout UNCG's Dawn Bright (Sr./Aberdeen, NC) pushed the lead to 21-17, en route to the the 30-27 game one victory. Game two started with the two teams trading points. The Bucs took the advantage at 12-11 on an assisted block by Lissa Allen and Sara Scandiffio. UNCG responded by regaining the lead at 16-15 on a kill by Kim Dayton (Jr./Fayetteville, NC). However, the lead would not hold as ETSU managed to edge the Spartans in game two, 31-29. The Bucs started quickly in game three jumping out to a 13-10 lead, forcing another UNCG timeout. After this timeout, however, UNCG was unable to rally as ETSU took game three, 30-24.

Facing elimination in game four the Spartans played some of their best volleyball of the match. UNCG went up 7-5 after a kill by Holly Long (So./Richmond, VA). UNCG cruised from that point pushing the lead to 18-11 and eventually taking the match 30-23.

In pivotal game five UNCG wasted no time as the Spatans took the lead at 5-3 on a kill by LaJean Morrow (Jr./Asheville, NC). Morrow continued to come up with big plays in the game as her solo block gave UNCG a 9-3 lead. ETSU did respond with a late run to close to within one point, 12-11, but UNCG refused to relinquish the lead. The Spartans took game five, 15-12, on an assisted block by Dawn Bright and Kim Dayton.

Lori Collins led the Spartans with a career-best 18 kills. LaJean Morrow added 17 kills and Dawn Bright added 15. Bright now has 663 kills at UNCG which moves her past Kara Faulise for eighth place all-time at UNCG. Bright also spearheaded the defense with 27 digs, while Kim Dayton added 21. Adrian Hicks (Fr./Morganton, NC) also set a new career best with 57 assists.

ETSU was led by Nicole Ryan's 18 kills and 15 digs. Katie Stiedle tallied 17 kills and 19 digs, while Kristi Robinson paced the Buc's with 69 assists.

The Spartans will return to action tomorrow, as the team hosts Appalachian State at 2 pm.