GREENSBORO, N.C. – Ariel Newman and Olivia Humphries had 10 kills and nine kills, respectively, as the Spartans swept the Catamounts, 3-0 (25-17, 27-25, 25-15), in volleyball action at Fleming Gymnasium on Friday evening.
The Spartans claimed their 20th victory of the year and snapped a three match losing skid with the win on Friday night. UNCG improved to 20-11 on the season and climbed back over .500 in Southern Conference play, now boasting an 8-7 record in the league. Western Carolina dipped to 6-25 overall and 1-14 in conference play.
In addition to her 10 kills, Newman added six digs, while Humphries had eight blocks from her middle blocker position. Billi Baker also had a nice evening as she chipped in eight digs and six blocks. Kellie Orewiler had a match-high 21 digs, as well.
Paloma Alvarez led the Catamounts with a double-double as she recorded 11 kills and a matching 11 digs.
The first set was a see-saw battle in the early going as the teams were tied four times. The Catamounts led by two before UNCG went on a 9-0 run to grab a lead it would never give back. During the run, Olivia Humphries proved potent as she had three kills and two blocks.
With the score at 12-5, the Catamounts went on a 5-2 run to cut the deficit to four with back-to-back kills from Rebecca Stoltz. The two teams would battle point-for-point down the stretch, but the Spartans would never give up the lead as they took the first set, 25-17.
UNCG came out of the gates in a fury jumping out to a 10-4 lead. After a timeout, the Catamounts came out swinging as they went on an 8-2 run to knot the set up at 12. Neither team could establish a lead of larger than four throughout the rest of the set.
UNCG would fight off two set points later in the set, including a kill by Kayren Finney to tie the match at 25 apiece. Baker and Finney would combine for a block on the next play to give the Spartans a one point advantage. An attack error by Stoltz allowed UNCG to hang on to win the second set, 27-25.
Three of Newmans' kills came early in the third set as UNCG would jump out to a 5-1 lead. After an Alvarez kill, the Catamounts found themselves trailing only by two at 6-4.
UNCG then caught fire and went on a 17-4 run to stretch its lead to 23-8. Humphries chipped in with three blocks and two kills during the stretch. Newman added two more kills during the stretch, as well. The deficit proved too devastating for the Catamounts as they could not get back within 10 and UNCG would easily win the third set, 25-15.
The Spartans return to the floor for their regular-season finale and senior night as they clash with Appalachian State on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in Fleming Gymnasium. Seniors Billi Baker, Alissa Beaudway, Kayren Finney, Kimiko Naito, and Caley Redden will be honored prior to the match.
AGATE
UNCG def. Western Carolina 25-17, 27-25, 25-15
Western Carolina (6-25, 1-14 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Paloma Alvarez 11-0-0; Carrie Minogue 5-1-3; Rebecca Stoltz 4-0-0; Leah Best 3-0-1; Amanda Chaparro 2-0-1; Brittany Lysik 0-3-0; Kelcie Randazzo 0-2-0; Totals 25-6-3.0. (Assists) - Kelcie Randazzo 18. (Dig leaders) - Paloma Alvarez 11; Morgan Cochran 10
UNCG (20-11, 8-7 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Ariel Newman 10-0-0; Olivia Humphries 9-1-8; Billi Baker 8-0-6; Kayren Finney 5-0-5; Caley Redden 4-0-1; Alissa Beaudway 1-0-1; Ari Lysacek 0-1-5; Kellie Orewiler 0-1-0; Totals 37-3-13.0. (Assists) - Ari Lysacek 28. (Dig leaders) - Kellie Orewiler 21; Caley Redden 11; Billi Baker 8
Site: Greensboro, N.C. (Fleming Gymnasium)
Date: Nov 12, 2010 Attend: 318 Time: 1:27
Referees: Randy McLamb, Tad Watson
- UNCG -
