GREENSBORO, N.C. – Senior Emily Lindborg delivered a season-high 15 kills and hit an impressive .500 in the match as UNC Greensboro defeated Western Carolina, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon in Fleming Gymnasium.
The Spartans improved to an even 9-9 on the season and 2-2 in SoCon play, while the Catamounts fell to 3-15 this year and 0-4 in league action.
"This makes two days in a row that the girls have played at a consistent high level," said head coach Patrick Nicholas. "We are beginning to find our identity as a team and are improving in every facet of the game. Emily (Lindborg), Caley (Redden) and Billi (Baker) all had monster matches today, especially Emily. Ali (Beaudway) also stepped up to fill in for Kayren and Ari (Lysacek) did a good job of running the offense and distributing the ball."
Lindborg's 15 kills paced the Spartans offensively while Caley Redden added 12 kills and also had 11 digs for her seventh double-double of the season. Billi Baker also had a tremendous game as she narrowly recorded a triple-double after her nine kills, nine digs and 10 blocks. Ari Lysacek also had her seventh double-double of the season after having 48 assists and 11 digs.
The Spartans started off a little sluggish in the first set. With the Spartans up 9-7, the Catamounts went on a 10-4 run to take a 17-13 lead. UNCG rallied back to tie the match at 18, but it wasn't enough as Western Carolina pulled away late to win the set, 25-22.
UNCG came out inspired in the second set and led the entire way after jumping out to an early 5-0 lead. The Catamounts were able to pull within 18-13, but the Spartans won six of the final seven points to take the set, 25-15, on a kill by Luciana Shafer.
Western Carolina scored the first point in the third set, but that was the only lead they would have the entire set as UNCG took the next five points. The Spartans went ahead 14-6 on a Kayleigh Knerr service ace midway through the set as they cruised to win the set, 25-17.
The Spartans fell behind early in the fourth and final set, 12-9. The Catamounts continued to lead later in the set, 17-16, before UNCG rallied to end the match. The Spartans won the final nine points of the match, capped off by Lindborg's kill on match-point to give UNCG the set, 25-16.
The Spartans return to action on Wednesday as they host rival Elon at 7 p.m. in Fleming Gymnasium.
AGATE
UNC Greensboro def. Western Carolina: 22-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-17
WCU (3-15, 0-4 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Amanda Kerr 17-2-2; Carrie Minogue 7-1-2; Rebecca Stoltz 6-0-1; Kara Lynzee Brooks 5-0-3; Paloma Alvarez 2-0-0; Brittany Lysik 2-0-1; Katie Hennessey 1-0-1; Sara Gantt 0-2-0; Totals 40-5-5.0. (Assists) - Katie Hennessey 36. (Dig leaders) - Liz Rondone 25; Sara Gantt 11; Brittany Lysik 8
UNC Greensboro (9-9, 2-2 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Emily Lindborg 15-0-7; Caley Redden 12-2-3; Billi Baker 9-0-10; Luciana Shafer 7-0-0; Alissa Beaudway 6-1-8; Ari Lysacek 3-2-3; Olivia Humphries 2-0-0; Kayleigh Knerr 0-3-0; Totals 54-8-16.0. (Assists) - Ari Lysacek 48. (Dig leaders) - Catherine Hanners 22; Caley Redden 11; Ari Lysacek 11; Billi Baker 9
Site: Greensboro, NC (Flemming Gym)
Date: Oct 04, 2009 Attend: 108 Time: 1:42
Referees: Michael Fulk, Terry Martin
- UNCG -