GREENSBORO, N.C. – Caley Redden tied a career-high with 15 kills, but it wasn't enough as UNC Greensboro fell to Samford, 3-1, in the Southern Conference opener for both squads on Saturday afternoon in the Pete Hanna Center.
The loss dropped the Spartans to 6-8 on the year and 0-1 in SoCon action. Samford improved to an even 7-7 for the season and 1-0 in league play with the victory.
Redden's 10 kills were a team-high and Emily Lindborg and Luciana Shafer added eight kills apiece. Ari Lysacek had 40 assists and Catherine Hanners had a team-high 17 digs.
Sheridan Stangohr led the Bulldog offensive attack with a match-high 17 kills and Allie Bettinger chipped in 15 kills.
UNCG fell behind early in the first set and found themselves in an early 13-6 hole midway through the set. The Spartans were able to claw within 23-21 on a block by Lindborg and Redden, but Samford won the final two points to win the set, 25-21.
The Spartans were able to respond in the second set as they limited Samford to a .045 hitting percentage to take the set, 26-24. UNCG were facing game point trailing 24-23, but a kill by Olivia Humphries and back-to-back attack errors by the Bulldogs gave the Spartans the set.
The two teams traded points after intermission and found themselves knotted at eight early in the third set. The Bulldogs then went on a 12-6 run to stretch out a 20-14 lead as they claimed the set, 25-21.
In the final set of the afternoon, the Spartans found themselves down early, 6-1. UNCG rallied to tie the score at 14 in the set, but Samford continued its offensive attack to win the set, 25-20, on a kill by Bettinger.
The Spartans continue their weekend road trip as they travel to Chattanooga to face the Mocs on Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m.
AGATE
Samford def. UNC Greensboro: 25-21, 24-26, 25-21, 25-20
UNC Greensboro (6-8, 0-1 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Caley Redden 15-0-3; Emily Lindborg 8-0-6; Luciana Shafer 8-0-1; Billi Baker 6-2-0; Catherine Hanners 3-0-0; Olivia Humphries 3-0-1; Ari Lysacek 2-0-0; Alissa Beaudway 1-0-0; Kayleigh Knerr 0-1-0; Totals 46-3-7.0. (Assists) - Ari Lysacek 40. (Dig leaders) - Catherine Hanners 17; Kayleigh Knerr 13; Caley Redden 10; Billi Baker 8
Samford (7-7, 1-0 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Sheriden Stangohr 17-0-3; Allie Bettinger 15-1-1; Shelby Brandon 9-0-1; Elizabeth Neisler 9-0-1; Rachel Gadberry 7-0-2; Hillary Fountain 4-0-4; Samantha Bland 0-1-0; Casey Garvey 0-2-0; Alexis Bauer 0-1-0; Totals 61-5-7.0. (Assists) - Hillary Fountain 50. (Dig leaders) - Alexis Bauer 19; Allie Bettinger 11; Hillary Fountain 10; Casey Garvey 8
Site: Birmingham, Ala. (Pete Hanna Center)
Date: Sep 26, 2009 Attend: 412 Time: 1:47
- UNCG -
