UNCG-Gardner-Webb Box Score

BOILING SPRINGS --- UNC Greensboro junior Lori Collins posted 14 kills and 12 digs, but it was not enough as Gardner-Webb edged the Spartans, 3-2, Friday night at the Over-the Mountain Invitational.

GWU fired the first punch in this gritty sea-saw match by grinding out a 34-32 win in the opening game. The 'Dogs jumped out to the early 7-2 lead before UNCG got things going and fought back to take a four-point advantage at 21-17. The Spartans held the lead until 28-26 when GWU tied the game with back-to-back kills by Melanie Custer and Lindsey Sutherland. UNCG again put GWU on the ropes at 29-28 and 30-29 but failed to put the game away both times. GWU then got kills from Harrison, Pridgeon and Maggie Cornwall to complete the comeback and take the 34-32 win.

UNC Greensboro grabbed the lead early and held it for the majority of the second frame, eventually opening up a 26-19 lead. GWU scored seven unanswered to knot the score at 26-26, but the Spartans scored four of the game's final five points to secure the 30-27 win.

In the third game, Gardner-Webb showed off an efficient attack, collecting 16 kills with just four errors in 39 attempts (.308%).  Despite the Bulldog's offense, UNCG hung tough and the game was tied at 10-10 midway through. GWU steadily pulled away from there, taking 30-23 win.

Facing a must-win game, the Spartans played their best game of the night. UNCG held off an early GWU surge and took the 10-point victory at 30-20 to force a decisive game five. GWU, however, would regroup to take game five, 15-8, and the match, 3-2.

GWU dominated the fifth game, winning 15-8 and taking the 34-32, 27-30, 30-23, 20-30, 15-8 match win. Harrison, Pridgeon and Cornwall combined for eight of GWU's nine kills in the deciding fifth game, as Gardner-Webb posted a hitting percentage of .467.

In addition to Collins, UNC Greensboro was led by Lauren Keiser, Alysia Rosvold and Adrian Hicks. Kieser recorded 11 put aways, Rosvold posted 13 kills and 10 digs and Hicks turned in 40 assists for the Spartans.

Saturday's action will begin at 9 a.m. with Gardner-Webb (1-0) going up against UT-Martin (0-1). Lipscomb (1-1) will match up with UNCG (0-1) at 11 a.m. GWU will take the court again at 1 p.m. for its match against Lipscomb. The final match of the day will pit UT-Martin against UNCG at 3 p.m.