Women's Volleyball 10/2/2011 8:00:00 PM UNCGSpartans.com

Appalachian State rallies past UNCG, 3-1

Box Score

For video of coach Patrick Nicholas' comments after the Appalachian State match, click here.

GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG came out and took the first set, but Appalachian State rallied to claim the final three sets at the Spartans fell 3-1 on Sunday evening in Fleming Gymnasium.

The Spartans fell to 9-10 with the loss and 2-2 in the Southern Conference, while the Mountaineers improved to 11-7 and 3-1 in the league.

Karrian Chambers led UNCG offensively with 19 kills and 12 digs for a double-double and Ari Lysacek also had a double-double with 46 assists and 10 digs. Holland Hoefnagel added 13 kills and Morgan Freeman posted 10 kills and a .474 hitting percentage.

The Mountaineers were led by Anna Wagner who had 14 kills and Alison Basingame added 10 of her own. Courtney Rhein also had a match-high 23 digs for Appalachian State.

The first set as tight throughout as there were nine ties, but the Mountaineers led for most of the set. The two sides traded points early before Appalachian State opened up a 15-11 lead. UNCG would fight back to pull within 21-20 to force a Mountaineer timeout. After a service error by UNCG made the deficit 22-20, the Spartans won the final five points to win the set, 25-22.

The second set was even tighter as there were 16 ties and four lead changes. The Mountaineers held a 22-20 lead late in the set before a kill by Lysacek and Newman tied the set at 22. The two sides were tied at 23-all two points later before a kill by Kasey Sauls and Kelly Rhein gave the Mountaineers the set, 25-23, to tie the match at 1-apiece heading into intermission.

After the break, the Spartans came out and took an early 6-3 lead, but the Mountaineers fought back to eventually go ahead, 14-10. UNCG would cut the Appalachian State lead down to 23-20, but the Mountaineers won the final two points to take a 2-1 lead.

The fourth and final set was another close one as the Spartans held a slim 15-14 lead midway through the set. The Mountaineers answered with a 6-1 run to take a 20-16 lead. UNCG would cut the lead down to 23-20, but the Mountaineers held strong and won the set, 25-20.

The Spartans will host North Carolina Central on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the final nonconference match of the season.

AGATE

Appalachian State def. UNCG 22-25, 25-23, 25-20, 25-20

Appalachian State (11-7, 3-1 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Anna Wagner 14-1-2; Alison Blasingame 10-0-5; Maggie Seeds 9-1-3; Meghann Forshey 8-0-5; Jessica Eley 4-0-4; Lindsey Sauls 4-1-2; Kelly Rhein 3-0-0; Kasey Sauls 1-1-0; Totals 53-4-12.0. (Assists) - Kasey Sauls 26; Lauren Brown 20. (Dig leaders) - Courtney Rhein 23; Anna Wagner 13

UNCG (9-10, 2-2 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Karrian Chambers 19-0-0; Holland Hoefnagel 13-0-1; Morgan Freeman 10-1-3; Ariel Newman 7-0-1; Ari Lysacek 6-0-2; Vicky Harley 3-0-2; Chelsea Evans 2-0-1; Kelsey Sidney 2-0-1; Kellie Orewiler 0-2-0; Totals 62-3-6.0. (Assists) - Ari Lysacek 46. (Dig leaders) - Karrian Chambers 12; Ariel Newman 11; Kellie Orewiler 10; Ari Lysacek 10