DAVIDSON, N.C. – Billi Baker and Caley Redden had a match-high 14 kills each to help lead UNCG over Davidson, 3-1 (25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 25-20), on Sunday afternoon in Belk Arena. With the win, the Spartans are now tied atop the North Division with Elon and Appalachian State.
The Spartans improved their overall record to 17-6 and 5-3 in the Southern Conference, while the Wildcats fell to 13-11 this year and 4-3 in the SoCon.
"It was a good win tonight against a quality opponent," said coach Patrick Nicholas. "I thought our passing and serving was much better tonight, along with our energy and effort. When you go on the road, you have to bring extra effort and attitude and I thought we had that today."
In addition to her 14 kills, Redden had a match-high 14 digs to record a double-double. Ari Lysacek also had a double-double for the Spartans as she had 32 assists and 13 digs. Ariel Newman fell just short of a double-double as she finished the match with nine kills and nine digs.
Sarabeth Peele also had a match-high 14 kills to lead the Wildcats offensively. Jordan Benedict recorded double-digit kills as well for Davidson as she had 11. Hayley Lawson had a match-high 39 assists.
The Spartans came storming out of the gate to open the match as they took an early 12-5 lead on a kill by Redden. UNCG led 14-6 before the Wildcats came clawing back to narrow the lead to 14-11. Davidson tied the match at 16 and again at 18, but the Spartans recovered and won the set, 25-20, on a service ace by Lysacek.
The two teams traded points to begin the second set before the Spartans ran off four-straight points, capped off by back-to-back kills from Newman, to take a 16-10 lead. It appeared as if UNCG would cruise to winning the set as it led 19-12, but once again the Wildcats mounted a comeback. Davidson made it a three-point match at 23-20 before the Spartans got a kill from Baker and Olivia Humphries to win the set, 25-21, and take a 2-0 lead into the break.
Coming out of intermission, Davidson took a slim lead before UNCG came back to tie it at 13 on a kill by Humphries. The teams were still tied at 16 later in the set before the Wildcats won the next two points to take a lead they wouldn't relinquish. UNCG still trailed by two at 23-21, but Davidson claimed the next two points to hold on and win the set, 25-21.
The fourth set started off just as tight as UNCG held a narrow 14-13 lead before going on a 7-2 run to go ahead, 21-15 on a kill by Humphries. The Wildcats cut the Spartan lead down to 23-20, but the Spartans used a Wildcat error and a kill by Kayren Finney to take the set, 25-20, and win the match, 3-1.
The Spartans return home this weekend for a special weekend as UNCG will host College of Charleston and The Citadel for Dig Pink weekend. UNCG will play against College of Charleston on Friday at 7 p.m. to kick off the weekend.
AGATE
UNCG def. DAV 25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 25-20
UNCG (17-6, 5-3) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Billi Baker 14-0-3; Caley Redden 14-0-3; Ariel Newman 9-0-1; Olivia Humphries 8-1-3; Kayren Finney 5-0-5; Alissa Beaudway 4-0-0; Ari Lysacek 1-2-1; Totals 55-3-9.0. (Assists) - Ari Lysacek 32. (Dig leaders) - Caley Redden 14; Ari Lysacek 13; Kellie Orewiler 10; Ariel Newman 9
DAV (13-11, 4-3) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Sarabeth Peele 14-0-1; Jorden Benedict 11-4-2; Tindall Sewell 8-0-0; Christine Perzinski 4-0-1; Erin Lupfer 4-0-1; Hayley Lawson 1-0-2; Madison Benedict 0-0-2; Caroline Brown 0-0-1; Molly Crenshaw 0-1-0; Totals 42-5-5.0. (Assists) - Hayley Lawson 39. (Dig leaders) - Jennifer Chamblee 12; Hayley Lawson 9; Molly Crenshaw 9
Site: Davidson, N.C. (Belk Arena)
Date: Oct 17, 2010 Attend: 224 Time: 1:49
Referees: Dave Mabe, Ed Phillips
- UNCG -
