GREENSBORO, N.C. - Freshman Olivia Humphries had a team-high nine kills as UNC Greensboro swept cross-town rival North Carolina A&T, 3-0, on Wednesday evening in the Corbett Sports Center. The set scores were 25-18, 25-22 and 25-9.
The Spartans improved to 7-9 on the season, while the Aggies fell to 1-17 this year.
"I thought tonight was a difficult match and we really fought hard," said head coach Patrick Nicholas. "We tried a few different things offensively with the players that were available and it felt good to get a win. Give credit to A&T, they competed hard in all three sets and their record doesn't indicate the true strength of their program. Now we have to look forward to a pair of big conference matches this weekend at home and we hope to have a loud and rowdy crowd to support us."
In addition to Humphries' nine kills, Alissa Beaudway added six kills on the evening. Luciana Shafer had a match-high 14 digs and Kimiko Naito also had 14 assists to lead the Spartans.
The Aggies were led offensively by Janae Mitchell who had a match-high 11 kills and Amber Inman had 29 assists.
After trading points early in the first set, the Spartans held just a 12-10 lead midway through the first set before winning seven of the next eight points to extend its lead to 19-10. UNCG went on to win the set, 25-18, on a service error by the Aggies.
The Aggies trailed early in the second set, but they fought back to take a 10-7 lead over UNCG. In fact, A&T led for most of the set and held a 22-19 lead late in the set. A kill by Beaudway and a pair of kills from Humphries held lead the Spartan charge as they won the final six points to take the set, 25-22.
The break between the second and third sets didn't slow the Spartans down as they carried their momentum into the third set. UNCG jumped out to an impressive 11-4 lead to start the set, but the Aggies fought back within 13-8. That was as close as A&T would get in the set as the Spartans went on a 12-1 run to close the match.
The Spartans return home this weekend as they host Appalachian State in their SoCon home opener on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Fleming Gymnasium.
AGATE
UNC Greensboro def. N.C. A&T: 25-18, 25-22, 25-9
UNC Greensboro (Kills-aces-blocks) - Olivia Humphries 9-0-3; Alissa Beaudway 6-2-1; Caley Redden 5-0-1; Billi Baker 4-0-2; Kayren Finney 4-0-1; Ari Lysacek 2-0-0; Kimiko Naito 1-0-0; Luciana Shafer 1-3-2; Kayleigh Knerr 0-2-0; Totals 32-7-5.0. (Assists) - Kimiko Naito 15; Ari Lysacek 11. (Dig leaders) - Luciana Shafer 14; Kayleigh Knerr 10; Billi Baker 8
N.C. A&T (Kills-aces-blocks) - MITCHELL,Janae 11-0-1; MELLETTE,Tiffany 9-1-0; DOTSTRY,Breanne 5-0-1; MCCASKILL,Bridget 3-0-1; WHITE,Lashawn 3-0-1; Totals 31-1-2.0. (Assists) - INMAN,Amber 29. (Dig leaders) - MITCHELL,Janae 10; MCCASKILL,Bridget 9
Site: Greensboro, NC (Corbett)
Date: Sep 30, 2009 Attend: Time:
Referees: Tad Watson, Steven Shepard
- UNCG -
