DURHAM, N.C. – UNCG got at least five kills from six separate players and had a .303 hitting percentage as a team as the Spartans swept North Carolina Central, 3-0, in volleyball action on Wednesday evening in McDougald Gym.
The Spartans took the first set, 25-17, before winning the final two sets 25-16 and 25-11.
UNCG moved to 5-0 on the season, while the Eagles fell to 1-5.
"I thought tonight was a good win and a good challenge in a midweek match," said coach Patrick Nicholas. "North Carolina Central is a big team with a big block so it was nice for our hitters to learn how to attack that. We really worked on executing our offense and having our back row players defend against their big hitters."
Olivia Humphries led the Spartan attack as she recorded a match-high eight kills on the evening, while Billi Baker and Ariel Newman each added seven kills. Caley Redden and Karrian Chambers also contributed six kills each and Kayren Finney added five. Ari Lysacek added a match-high assists and Kellie Orewiler had a match-high 12 digs.
The Spartans got the match started off on the right foot as they never trailed in the first set. UNCG led just 9-7 though after an attack error, but took control of the set by going on an 8-2 run, capped off by a block by Newman and Finney, to jump ahead, 17-9. The Spartans went on to claim the first set, 25-17, on a block by Finney and Baker.
The second set was the closest between the two teams as they had seven ties and three lead changes. The Spartans found themselves trailing 9-7 in the early going, but UNCG rattled off nine of the next 10 points to take a 16-10 advantage. The Eagles pulled within three at 16-13 on a UNCG attack error before the Spartans won the next five points en route to winning the set, 25-16.
UNCG took command of the third set from the beginning as it hopped out to a 13-3 lead. A service ace from Chambers capped off the match as the Spartans took the set, 25-11.
The Spartans return to the court this weekend as they travel to Wilmington, N.C. to compete in the UNCW Courtyard by Marriott Tournament. UNCG will begin competition on Friday against South Carolina State at 4:30 p.m.
AGATE
UNCG def. N.C. Central 25-17, 25-16, 25-11
UNCG (5-0) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Olivia Humphries 8-0-0; Ariel Newman 7-1-1; Billi Baker 7-0-3; Caley Redden 6-0-1; Karrian Chambers 6-1-0; Kayren Finney 5-0-5; Ari Lysacek 0-1-0; Kellie Orewiler 0-2-0; Totals 39-5-5.0. (Assists) - Ari Lysacek 29. (Dig leaders) - Kellie Orewiler 12; Caley Redden 8
N.C. Central (1-5) (Kills-aces-blocks) - BEHNCKE-BINEY,Belind 5-0-0; WALLEN,Sashalee 4-0-1; SANTOS,Emanuelle 4-0-0; RUSSELL,Kalin 2-0-2; MOORE,Shantel 2-0-4; KALAO,Jzima-Malaki 1-1-0; SINCLAIR,Maritsann 1-1-1; RICHARDS,Tasha-Gaye 1-0-1; JOHN,Alexis 1-0-0; Totals 21-2-5.0. (Assists) - KALAO,Jzima-Malaki 15. (Dig leaders) - KING,Raven 9; BEHNCKE-BINEY,Belind 7
Site: Durham, N.C. (McDougald Gym)
Date: Sept 1, 2010 Attend: 173 Time: 1:18
Referees: Dave Mabe, Kevin Horne
- UNCG -
