BOONE, NC – Appalachian State had three players with double-digit kills in its 3-0 sweep of UNC Greensboro, 30-24, 30-19 and 30-28, in Southern Conference volleyball play on Saturday night. The Spartans are now 17-11 overall and 7-8 in conference play, while the Mountaineers improve to 12-2 in SoCon play and 19-8 overall.
Sophomore Kaitlyn Nortz led the Spartans with 11 kills, while senior Theresa Hart put away nine kills and had eight digs. Freshman Catherine Hanners led the team with 13 digs and classmate Lisa Fawell dished out 33 assists for UNCG.
Dianna Thomas led the Mountaineers with 12 kills. Chrissy Finch finished with 11 kills and Brittany Zahn had 10. Lorelle Rau handed out 39 assists. Cassie Engelgau had a game-high 19 digs, while Heather Kale finished with 13 for ASU.
Appalachian State jumped out to an early 8-1 lead in game one. UNCG rattled off the next four points that included two kills by junior Lauren Keiser, to bring the score to 8-5. ASU, however, would take control again after a Spartan attack error. UNCG never got closer than three points the rest of the game and the Mountaineers would take game one by a score of 30-24.
In game two, ASU grabbed the early lead at 11-4 after a handful of Mountaineer blocks. The Spartans came within six points but the Mountaineers sailed through, defeating UNCG 30-19 in game two. Appalachian State went into the intermission up two games to none over UNCG.
The Mountaineers had a commanding lead throughout game three until at the 23-13 mark, the Spartans made a run after another kill by Keiser. Freshman Elizabeth Flattery served two ace serves and Hart added two kills to bring UNCG within five and make it 25-20. ASU went up 29-23 when Nortz responded with a kill for the Spartans to make it 29-24. Senior Christin Heverly contributed three service aces to make it 29-28 but the Mountaineers would get the final point on a put away by Zahn to win 30-28.
UNCG heads across town on Tuesday to take on North Carolina A&T. Game set for 6 pm.
AGATE
Appalachian State def. UNC Greensboro 30-24,30-19,30-28
UNC Greensboro (17-11, 7-8) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Kaitlyn Nortz 11-0-6; Theresa Hart 9-0-2; Lauren Keiser 7-0-2; Liz Benzschawel 5-0-1; Branagan Fuller 3-1-0; Lisa Fawell 2-1-2; Hilary Overby 2-0-0; Elizabeth Flattery 0-2-0; Christin Heverly 0-5-0; Totals 39-9-8.0. (Assists) - Lisa Fawell 33. (Dig leaders) - Catherine Hanners 13; Theresa Hart 8.
Appalachian State (19-8, 12-2) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Dianna Thomas 12-0-1; Chrissy Finch 11-1-2; Brittany Zahn 10-0-0; Carla Durham 6-0-8; Amy Lewis 5-0-2; Lorelle Rau 2-1-7; Becca Norris 2-0-0; Heather Kale 0-3-0; Totals 48-5-11.0. (Assists) - Lorelle Rau 39. (Dig leaders) - Cassie Engelgau 19; Heather Kale 13; Lorelle Rau 9; Chrissy Finch 8.
- UNCG -
