CHARLESTON, S.C. - UNC Greensboro fell for the second time in as many days as the Spartans were defeated by The Citadel, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon in McAlister Field House.
The Spartans dropped to 13-11 this season and 6-4 in the Southern Conference, while the Bulldogs improved to 5-20 on the year and 1-8 in the SoCon.
"I was really disappointed in our mental focus today," said head coach Patrick Nicholas. "We don't have any time to feel sorry for ourselves though as we are in a stretch where we have seven matches in 14 days. We need to gather ourselves and come back out on Tuesday to try to get back in the winning column."
Catherine Hanners led the Spartans with 12 kills on the afternoon and Kayren Finney chipped in nine kills. Hanners completed her double-double with 12 digs and Kimiko Naito had a team-high 23 assists.
The Spartan trailed for most of the first set, but they came back to tie the match at 23 late in the set on a kill by Finney. UNCG took a 24-23 lead on another kill by Finney, but a kill by Blaine McAllister and back-to-back kills by Tatum Jestila gave the Bulldogs the set, 26-24.
The Bulldogs carried their momentum into the second set as they took an early 4-1 lead, but the Spartan rallied to take a 10-5 lead in the set. UNCG extended its lead to 17-10 on a kill by Finney as the Spartans went on to win the set, 25-16, on a kill by Hanners.
The Citadel took control of the match once again after the break as they took an early 12-3 lead. The Bulldogs continued their dominance of the set as they took the set, 25-11, on Amanda Beal's kill.
The Spartans attempted to force a fifth and final set as they took 7-4 lead. UNCG held a narrow 10-9 lead before The Citadel went on a 6-0 run to take a 15-10 lead. The Bulldogs would never look back as they won the set, 25-19, to win the match.
The Spartans return home on Tuesday as they face North Carolina Central at 7 p.m. in Fleming Gymnasium.
AGATE
The Citadel def. UNC Greensboro: 26-24, 16-25, 25-11, 25-19
UNC Greensboro (13-11, 6-4 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Catherine Hanners 12-0-0; Kayren Finney 9-0-1; Emily Lindborg 7-0-3; Alissa Beaudway 6-0-0; Kimiko Naito 5-1-0; Billi Baker 4-0-2; Caley Redden 3-0-2; Luciana Shafer 3-0-0; Ari Lysacek 1-0-0; Kayleigh Knerr 0-1-0; Totals 50-2-4.0. (Assists) - Kimiko Naito 23; Ari Lysacek 18. (Dig leaders) - Kayleigh Knerr 14; Catherine Hanners 12
The Citadel (5-20, 1-8 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Jessica Maas 16-1-3; Tatum Jestila 14-0-3; Blaine McAllister 12-0-0; Kaona Mercer 7-0-3; Jessica Maxwell 5-0-4; Alyssa Holum 1-0-1; Amanda Beal 1-0-2; Rachael Farrell 0-1-0; Kathryn Johnston 0-1-0; Totals 56-3-9.0. (Assists) - Alyssa Holum 46. (Dig leaders) - Alyssa Holum 14; Tatum Jestila 14; Jessica Maas 13; Kathryn Johnston 12; Rachael Farrell 10
Site: Charleston, S.C. (McAlister Field Hous)
Date: Oct 25, 2009 Attend: 117 Time: 1:49
Referees: Holly Meckley, Richard Holstead
- UNCG -
