Women's Volleyball 9/18/2009 8:00:00 PM UNCGSpartans.com

Spartans fall to Georgetown at UNCG Tournament

Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. - UNC Greensboro was able to take the first set from Georgetown, but the Hoyas stormed back to win the final three sets to win, 3-1, at the UNCG Tournament on Friday night in Fleming Gymnasium.

The Spartans fell to 4-7 on the season, while the Hoyas improved to 7-5 this year.

"Once again we started off strong, but we need to learn how to be more mentally tough to be able to finish matches," said head coach Patrick Nicholas. "We continue to work on finding leaders within the team and that will come as we become more of a cohesive unit. I am pleased though that the team continues to improve with every match. We are finally getting a few players back from injury and I think that, in addition to becoming a stronger team, will help us get to where we need to be as the season progresses."

Catherine Hanners led the Spartan offense with 11 kills and Caley Redden had 10. Ari Lysacek had 35 assists for UNCG, while Kayleigh Knerr led the team with 16 digs.

Vanessa Dorismond, Lindsay Wise and Kortney Robinson each had 10 kills for Georgetown and Ashley Malone added 37 assists. Robinson also had 14 kills to record a double-double.

The Spartans started the match off right as they jumped out to a 10-5 lead on a Redden kill, one of eight first-set kills for her. After UNCG extended its lead to 16-8 on a block by Redden and Kayren Finney, Georgetown was able to mount a comeback to take a 21-20 lead. The Spartans rattled off five of the final seven points in the set to win the set, 25-23.

The second set saw the two sides trade points for most of set. They saw themselves tied late in the set again, this time at 22, before Georgetown won the final three points to take the set, 25-23.

The Hoyas carried their momentum into the third set and took at 16-10 lead midway through the set. The Spartans were never able to mount a comeback in the set and Georgetown took a 2-1 set advantage.

Georgetown led the entire fourth set, but the Spartans were able to pull within 15-14. UNCG's comeback wasn't enough as the Spartans fell, 25-19, to seal the victory for the Hoyas.

The Spartans return to action tomorrow in the second day of the UNCG Tournament. UNCG faces La Salle at 2:30 p.m. before taking on NC State at 7 p.m. in the final match of the tournament.

The first two matches of the afternoon were a pair of 3-0 sweeps. Georgetown took just over an hour to defeat La Salle as they kicked off the tournament on Friday morning. Vanessa Dorismond had a team-high 10 kills and an incredible .474 hitting percentage to lead the Hoyas. Rachel Stemper had seven kills to pace the Explorers in their opening loss.

Megan Smith and Stephanie Wallin led the charge for High Point as they swept NC State in the second match of the day. Smith had 15 kills and Wallin added 11 to lead the Panthers. Keri Demar was the offensive leader for NC State with 12 kills in the match.

In the third match of the day, NC State was able to defeat La Salle, 3-1. Demar once again led NC State, this time with 15 kills, and Kelly Wood chipped in 11. Rachel Stemper had a match-high 22 kills for the Explorers in the losing effort.

AGATE

Georgetown def. UNC Greensboro: 23-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-19

Georgetown (7-5) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Lindsay Wise 10-0-6; Vanessa Dorismond 10-0-4; Kortney Robinson 10-2-2; Sara Manley 8-1-4; Kiersten McKoy 3-0-1; Ashley Malone 2-3-2; Paris Coleman 2-1-0; Tory Rezin 0-2-0; Totals 45-9-11.0. (Assists) - Ashley Malone 37. (Dig leaders) - Tory Rezin 20; Kortney Robinson 14; Paris Coleman 12; Ashley Malone 11

UNC Greensboro (4-7) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Catherine Hanners 11-0-0; Caley Redden 10-1-1; Billi Baker 6-0-2; Kayren Finney 6-0-4; Olivia Humphries 4-1-0; Luciana Shafer 3-1-0; Alissa Beaudway 2-0-0; Ari Lysacek 1-1-0; Kayleigh Knerr 0-1-0; Totals 43-5-4.0. (Assists) - Ari Lysacek 35. (Dig leaders) - Kayleigh Knerr 16; Catherine Hanners 9; Caley Redden 9