GREENSBORO, N.C. – Billi Baker and Caley Redden each recorded double-doubles and three other Spartans had nine kills as UNC Greensboro swept Appalachian State, 3-0, on Saturday afternoon in Fleming Gymnasium in Southern Conference volleyball action.
The Spartans improved to 8-9 this season and 1-2 in SoCon play. The Mountaineers fell to 6-12 on the year and an even 2-2 in league play.
"I was really proud of our girls and the way they fought," said head coach Patrick Nicholas. "We played with more of a passion today and it showed in the score. I'm impressed with how Caley Redden continues to get better every day and Billi Baker has really shown improvement as well. I thought our defense as a whole was great today too. We seemed inspired in our blocking and digging and we refused to let the ball hit the floor."
Baker and Redden each had 10 kills to lead UNCG offensively, while Alissa Beaudway, Emily Lindborg and Luciana Shafer added nine kills apiece. Redden also had a match-high 12 digs and Baker and Kayleigh Knerr chipped in 10 digs each as well. Ari Lysacek had a match-high 40 assists and Lindborg had a match-high too with six blocks.
In the first set, neither team was able to take control early as the two sides found themselves tied at 13 midway through the set. The Spartans took control and it appeared as if the Spartans would take the set after leading 24-20, but the Mountaineers held off four set-points by UNCG to knot the set at 24 all.
A kill by Linborg gave the Spartans a 25-24 lead, but the Mountaineers fought back once again and tied the set at 25 on a block by Becca Norris and Kelsey Sauls. A service error by Appalachian State gave UNCG its sixth set point and the Spartans were finally able to capitalize on a kill by Redden to win the set, 27-25, on perhaps the longest rally of the match.
The Mountaineers came out in the second set and took an early 8-4 lead. The Spartans responded by going on a 9-1 run to take a 13-9 lead and went on to cruise to a 25-16 set win.
With the two teams knotted at seven in the final set, UNCG took the next four points to go ahead 11-7. Appalachian State fought back to pull within 13-12, but the Spartans went on a 7-1 run en route to winning the set, 25-12, to clinch the victory.
The Spartans will make the quick turnaround as they take on Western Carolina on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. in Fleming Gymnasium.
AGATE
UNC Greensboro def. Appalachian St.: 27-25, 25-16, 25-21
Appalachian St. (6-12, 2-2 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Maja Jechorek 12-0-0; Becca Norris 8-0-3; Maggie Seeds 7-1-1; Caroline Sedon 3-0-1; Kelly Rhein 2-0-0; Kasey Sauls 1-0-2; Kelsey Kuehner 1-0-1; Lauren Swecker 0-1-0; Totals 34-2-5.0. (Assists) - Kasey Sauls 29. (Dig leaders) - Cassie Engelgau 16; Maja Jechorek 9; Kasey Sauls 8
UNC Greensboro (8-9, 1-2 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Caley Redden 10-1-0; Billi Baker 10-1-3; Emily Lindborg 9-0-6; Luciana Shafer 9-0-2; Alissa Beaudway 9-0-2; Ari Lysacek 1-1-3; Totals 48-3-8.0. (Assists) - Ari Lysacek 40. (Dig leaders) - Caley Redden 12; Billi Baker 10; Kayleigh Knerr 10
Site: Greensboro, NC (Fleming Gym)
Date: Oct 03, 2009 Attend: 218 Time: 1:25
Referees: Terry Martin, Michael Fulk
- UNCG -
