GREENSBORO, N.C. – Coming off a rough weekend, Ariel Newman and the middle blocking duo of Alissa Beaudway and Olivia Humphries picked UNCG up and helped it sweep crosstown rival North Carolina A&T, 3-0 (25-15, 25-8, 25-16), in the home opener for the Spartans on Wednesday evening.

The Spartans improved to 9-3 on the year, while the Aggies fell to 1-9 this season.

"It was a good match for us to get back on the winning side, especially after a tough weekend," said coach Patrick Nicholas. "I thought our offense showed some really good things. It was really good to get back on the winning track."

Newman led UNCG offensively with nine kills from her outside hitter position. Beaudway added eight kills for UNCG and posted a .500 hitting percentage, while Humphries had seven kills and a career-high seven service aces.

Jeana Daniels paced the Aggies on the offensive end as she had a team-high seven kills. Amber Inman had a double-double as she posted 14 assists and had a match-high 12 digs.

The Spartans started a little slowly as the two teams were tied at seven. UNCG then went on an incredible 12-1 run to take a commanding 19-8 lead over the Aggies. The Spartans went on to win the set, 25-15, on a kill by Billi Baker.

UNCG came out firing in the second set as it never fell behind the entire set. The Spartans led 13-7 midway through the set before going on another 12-1 run, which included four-straight aces from Humphries, to take the set, 25-8.

Coming out of the break with a 2-0 lead, UNCG looked to incorporate some of the freshman into the game, including as many as five in the match at one time. Those freshman picked up where the upperclassmen left off and clinched the win for the Spartans by winning the set, 25-16.

The Spartans will to the court this weekend as they host the Spartan Spiketacular in Fleming Gymnasium. UNCG will play its first match of the tournament on Friday at 7 p.m.

AGATE

UNCG def. North Carolina A&T 25-15, 25-8, 25-16

North Carolina A&T (1-9) (Kills-aces-blocks) - DANIELS,Jeana 7-0-1; COOPER,Tatiana 4-0-0; BOYER,Elisha 2-1-0; FOX,Chelsea 2-0-1; REESE,Devonte' 1-0-0; EVANS,Andrea 1-0-0; INMAN,Amber 0-1-0; Totals 17-2-1.0. (Assists) - INMAN,Amber 14. (Dig leaders) - INMAN,Amber 12; EVANS,Andrea 5

UNCG (9-3) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Ariel Newman 9-1-2; Alissa Beaudway 8-0-2; Olivia Humphries 7-7-2; Billi Baker 5-0-1; Caley Redden 3-1-0; Karrian Chambers 1-0-0; Samantha Deutchman 1-0-1; Lara Keyes 1-0-0; Ari Lysacek 0-3-0; Kellie Orewiler 0-1-0; Totals 35-13-5.0. (Assists) - Ari Lysacek 15. (Dig leaders) - Ariel Newman 8; Caley Redden 6

Site: Greensboro, N.C. (Fleming Gymnasium)
Date: Sep 15, 2010   Attend: 473   Time: 1:05  
Referees: Tony Hill, Ken Matz

- UNCG -