GREENSBORO, N.C. – In a battle of the top teams in the North Division, UNCG committed a total of 27 unforced errors in just three sets as the Spartans fell to Elon, 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-21), on Friday evening in Southern Conference action in Fleming Gymnasium.
The Spartans fell to 19-9 on the season and 7-6 in the SoCon, while Elon took control of first place in the North Division and improved to 17-13 this year and 8-5 in the conference.
Ariel Newman led the Spartan attack as she posted 13 kills and a matching 13 digs to post a double-double. It was the 15th time in the last 16 games that she has posted double-digit kills. Ari Lysacek also had a double-double with 23 assists and 11 digs. Caley Redden also had a match-high 20 digs for UNCG.
The Phoenix were paced by Caroline Lemke who had 13 kills. Megan McMahon had the lone double-double for Elon as she had 32 assists and 13 digs.
The Spartans came out a little slow in the first set as the Phoenix jumped out to a 7-3. The Spartans came fighting back though and won five-straight points to take a 12-11 lead. The two teams were still knotted up at 22, but the Phoenix won the final three points to take the opening set, 25-22.
The two teams battled back-and-forth in the second set as they were tied 12 times and exchanged the lead seven times. UNCG found itself trailing 17-13 midway through the set before rallying to tie the set at 17. The Spartans then fell behind 23-18, but rallied once again to narrow the Phoenix lead to 23-22. UNCG held off one Elon set point and made it 24-23, but Elon got a kill from Lemke to win the set, 25-23.
Coming out of intermission, Elon took control and took an early 5-1 lead. UNCG fought back and pulled within 14-13 on a kill by Billi Baker, but the Phoenix came right back and extended their lead to 22-16. The Spartans tried to mount a late rally and made it 23-20, but Elon was too much and won the final set, 25-21.
The Spartans will turn around on Saturday and travel to Furman to face the Paladins at 7 p.m.
AGATE
Elon def. UNCG 25-22, 25-23, 25-21
Elon (17-13, 8-5 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Caroline Lemke 13-1-2; Sarah Schermerhorn 9-1-0; Allison Johnson 8-0-1; Lauren Copenhagen 7-1-1; Traci Stewart 5-1-0; Megan McMahon 1-0-1; Totals 43-4-4.0. (Assists) - Megan McMahon 32. (Dig leaders) - Megan McMahon 13; Ali Deatsch 11; Lauren Copenhagen 10; Lizzie West 8; Sarah Schermerhorn 8; Traci Stewart 8
UNCG (19-9, 7-6 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Ariel Newman 13-0-0; Kayren Finney 7-0-7; Caley Redden 7-0-3; Olivia Humphries 5-0-2; Billi Baker 4-0-2; Alissa Beaudway 4-0-1; Ari Lysacek 2-0-0; Samantha Deutchman 0-0-1; Totals 42-0-9.0. (Assists) - Ari Lysacek 23; Kimiko Naito 12. (Dig leaders) - Caley Redden 20; Ariel Newman 13; Ari Lysacek 11; Kellie Orewiler 9
Site: Greensboro, N.C. (Fleming Gymnasium)
Date: Nov 05, 2010 Attend: 348 Time: 1:35
Referees: Ronnie Mutter, Tony Hill
- UNCG -
