CHARLESTON, SC The UNC Greensboro volleyball team improved to 2-0 in Southern Conference play with a 3-0 win over The Citadel at McAlister Field House Friday evening. The Spartans won by scores of 30-16, 30-20 and 30-17 for their fourth consecutive victory.
Freshman Kayren Finney led UNCG (9-7, 2-0 SoCon) with a career-high 14 kills while Kaitlyn Nortz and Branagan Fuller each tallied 10 kills. Catherine Hanners led the way on the defensive end with 16 digs while Lisa Fawell added a match-high 31 assists.
The Citadel (2-11, 0-3 SoCon) was led by Rachel Sanders who tallied seven kills and 10 digs. Ashley Winter also added 14 digs in the loss.
In game one, The Citadel was able to keep the match close and even forced two ties in the opening minutes of play but UNCG used kills from Alissa Beaudway and Katherine Hart to pull ahead 10-3 and never looked back taking a 30-16 win.
The Citadel took an early 2-0 lead in the second game but the Spartans regrouped and went on a 9-1 run to pull ahead 9-3. The Bulldogs wouldn't go away and were able to get as close as 14-11 behind several UNCG miscues and kills from Rachel Sanders but UNCG rallied down the stretch and closed the game on a 5-2 run en route to a 30-20 victory.
The Spartans dominated the third game and opened the game on a 10-2 run and forced the Bulldogs into several miscues. The Citadel was able to get as close as 18-9 but couldn't match UNCG's offense as the Spartans cruised to a 30-17 win.
UNCG was able to hold The Citadel to a .051 hitting percentage for the match while the Spartans registered a .333 hitting percentage and tallied a match-high six blocks.
The Spartans are back in action tomorrow afternoon when they take on College of Charleston. First serve is set for 2 pm. UNCG returns to Fleming Gym on Sept. 28 when they welcome SoCon rival, Wofford. Match time is set for 7 pm.
AGATE
UNCG def. The Citadel 30-16, 30-20, 30-17
UNCG (9-7, 2-0 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Kayren Finney 14-0-2; Kaitlyn Nortz 10-0-2; Branagan Fuller 10-3-3; Katherine Hart 9-0-2; Lauren Keiser 4-0-1; Billi Baker 3-0-0; Alissa Beaudway 3-0-0;Catherine Hanners 1-4-0; Kayleigh Knerr 0-1-0; Kimiko Naito 0-1-0;Lisa Fawell 0-1-0; Totals 54-10-6.0. (Assists) - Lisa Fawell 31. (Dig leaders) - Catherine Hanners 16; Branagan Fuller 14
The Citadel (2-11, 0-3 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Rachel Sanders 7-0-0; Caitlin Vyborny 4-0-1; Blaine Mcallister 3-0-0; Amanda Beal 3-0-1; Tatum Jestila 2-1-0; Ashley Winter 1-0-0; Jessica Maas 1-0-1;Emily Hill 0-0-1; Totals 21-1-3.0. (Assists) - Emily Hill 14. (Dig leaders) - Ashley Winter 14; Rachel Sanders 10
- UNCG -
