GREENSBORO, N.C. - UNC Greensboro extended its winning streak to seven matches as they Spartans defeated Georgia Southern, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon in Fleming Gymnasium.
The Spartans improved to 13-9 this season and 6-2 in Southern Conference play. Georgia Southern dropped to 15-8 on the year and 5-3 in league action.
"Today was a really big win against a quality opponent," said head coach Patrick Nicholas. "I was proud of the girls and the way they fought hard and pulled out the win in the fourth set. Our defensive blocking work in practice all week really seemed to show in the fourth set. Now we need to maintain this intensity in everything that we do."
Caley Redden recorded her ninth double-double of the season as she recorded 16 kills and 12 digs. Ari Lysacek had 40 assists, while Catherine Hanners and Kayleigh Knerr had 18 and 17 digs, respectively.
The first set was a back-and-forth affair that saw the two teams tied 14 times and change leads seven times. Trailing 19-18 late in the set, UNCG won the next three points thanks to a pair of kills from Redden and Emily Lindborg, which forced Georgia Southern to call a timeout. The Spartans continued their attack coming out of the timeout as they won four of the final six points to take the set, 25-21.
After being tied at two to start the second set, a kill by Luciana Shafer And back-to-back service aces gave the Spartans a 5-2 lead. UNCG went on to extend its lead to 13-5 on a block by Olivia Humphries and Alissa Beaudway. The Eagles narrowed the Spartan lead to 24-20, but they were never able to overcome their deficit and UNCG claimed the second set, 25-20.
The Spartans appeared to carry their momentum into the third set as they jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but Georgia Southern rattled off the next seven points to take a 7-3 lead. The Eagles extended their lead to 15-10 before going on a 9-2 run on their way to winning the set, 25-14.
Georgia Southern came took an early 4-0 lead in the fourth and final set, but the Spartans responded to tie the set at 4. The teams traded points for most of the set and were tied at 17 late in the set. A powerful kill by Redden and an ace and two kills by Hanners pulled the Spartans to a 21-17 lead. The Eagles pulled to within 24-23, but Redden delivered her final kill of the afternoon to give the Spartans the set, 25-23.
Next up for UNCG is a trip to Charleston, S.C. next weekend to face College of Charleston on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Cougar's Dig Pink match.
AGATE
UNC Greensboro def. Georgia Southern: 25-21, 25-20, 14-25, 25-23
Georgia Southern (15-8, 5-3 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Lauren Claybaugh 16-0-4; Bethany Sanford 10-1-0; Kirby Monson 8-0-5; Moriah Bellissimo 5-2-5; Kate Van Dyke 4-1-1; Parker Small 2-0-5; Cristin Haines 0-1-0; Totals 45-5-10.0. (Assists) - Kate Van Dyke 39. (Dig leaders) - Cristin Haines 18; Kate Van Dyke 15; Bethany Sanford 13; Lauren Claybaugh 10; Ashleigh Wienbarg 9
UNC Greensboro (13-9, 6-2 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Caley Redden 16-3-1; Emily Lindborg 8-1-4; Luciana Shafer 6-0-1; Olivia Humphries 6-0-2; Ari Lysacek 5-0-0; Billi Baker 4-0-2; Catherine Hanners 4-3-2; Alissa Beaudway 4-2-2; Kayleigh Knerr 0-2-0; Totals 53-11-7.0. (Assists) - Ari Lysacek 40. (Dig leaders) - Catherine Hanners 18; Kayleigh Knerr 17; Caley Redden 12; Alissa Beaudway 8
Site: Greensboro, N.C. (Fleming Gym)
Date: Oct 18, 2009 Attend: 321 Time: 1:44
Referees: Wade Brence, Kevin Wendelboe
- UNCG -
