GREENVILLE, NC East Carolina's Kelly Wernert tallied a game-high 23 kills to lead East Carolina to a 3-1 win over UNC Greensboro on Tuesday night in Williams Arena in Minges Coliseum. The setback gives the Spartans their first loss of the season.
UNCG (4-1), played their second four-game match of year, and fell by scores of 30-24, 30-20, 18-30, 30-24. The Spartans had four players with double-digit kills and were led by Branagan Fuller who tallied a team-high 15. Catherine Hanners led UNCG on the defensive end and collected 15 digs while Lisa Fawell dished out 36 assists in the loss.
The Spartans started the match slow and never led in the first game failing to match the offensive prowess of Wernert. The second game was much closer and UNCG managed to keep the score close in a match that featured six lead changes. A kill from Kaitlyn Nortz tied the game at 15 but that was as close as the Spartans would get as the Pirates went on an 8-1 run to take a 23-16 lead en route to a 30-20 win.
UNCG rebounded in the third game and were able to take a 30-18 win. The Spartans never trailed and were able to cut the Pirate lead to 2-1 but East Carolina rebounded in the fourth game. The game was tight in the early goings and featured five lead changes within the first 12 points scored.
East Carolina rushed out to a 24-16 lead before UCNG went on a small run to cut the lead to 25-18 but it wouldn't get any closer as the Pirates claimed the 3-1 match victory.
The Spartans return to action this weekend when they head to Pittsburgh, PA for the Courtyard by Marriott Invitational hosted by Duquesne. UNCG will take on Youngstown State, Duquesne and Bucknell in the two-day tournament.
AGATE
East Carolina def. UNCG 30-24,30-20,18-30,30-24
UNCG (4-1) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Branagan Fuller 15-0-0; Kaitlyn Nortz 12-1-2; Emily Lindborg 10-0-1; Katherine Hart 10-0-2; Lauren Keiser 4-1-1; Alissa Beaudway 2-0-0; Catherine Hanners 1-0-0; Caley Redden 1-0-0; Lisa Fawell 1-1-0; Kayleigh Knerr 0-1-1; Totals 56-4-4.0. (Assists) - Lisa Fawell 36. (Dig leaders) - Catherine Hanners 15; Branagan Fuller 13; Lauren Keiser 10
East Carolina (2-2) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Kelley Wernert 23-3-1;Melissa Zentner 10-0-0; Mignon Dubenion 10-0-2; Erica Banning 8-1-2; Stephanie Turner 5-5-3; Katie Koop 4-2-2; Totals 60-11-6.0. (Assists) - Katie Koop 44. (Dig leaders) - Hannah Fenker 14; Trish Monroe 12;Stephanie Turner 8; Kelley Wernert 8
- UNCG -
