GREENVILLE, S.C. – UNCG dropped the first set 25-14 and was never able to get things going as the Spartans fell to Furman, 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-17), on Friday evening in Alley Gymnasium.
The Spartans (12-13, 4-5 Southern Conference) were led by Morgan Freeman who had eight kills and a .350 hitting percentage. Ariel Newman and Karrian Chambers each added six kills apiece and Kellie Orewiler had a match-high 19 digs.
Caroline Adams paced the Paladins (14-7, 7-2 SoCon) with a match-high 14 kills and a .619 hitting percentage. Natalie Braun was even better as she recorded a triple-double with 19 assists, 14 digs and 11 kills.
The Paladins came out and took control early in the first set after a service ace gave them a 6-1 advantage. Furman would stretch its lead to 20-10 on a kill by Alexis Shaffer before taking the opening set, 25-14.
Furman carried that momentum into the second set as it opened up a 9-1 lead to start the set. It was all Paladins in the set as they would be as much as 17-14 en route to winning the set, 25-17, to take a 2-0 lead into intermission.
The third set was much closer between the two sides. After Furman took the early 4-1 lead, the Spartans battled back and eventually took a 12-11 lead. The Paladins responded with a 6-1 run to take a 17-13 lead and then went on to win the set, 25-17, to win the match, 3-0.
The Spartans will make the short trip to Wofford on Saturday for a 7 p.m. matchup.
AGATE
Furman def. UNCG 25-14, 25-17, 25-17
UNCG (12-13, 4-5 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Morgan Freeman 8-0-2; Ariel Newman 6-0-1; Karrian Chambers 6-0-2; Ari Lysacek 4-0-0; Emily McMurtrey 3-1-0; Vicky Harley 1-0-3; Chelsea Evans 1-0-0; Totals 29-1-5.0. (Assists) - Ari Lysacek 16. (Dig leaders) - Kellie Orewiler 19; Karrian Chambers 8
Furman (14-7, 7-2 SoCon) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Caroline Adams 14-0-3; Natalie Braun 11-1-2; Christina Curry 9-1-0; Kelly Kirby 8-0-1; Alexis Shaffer 6-0-0; Christina Dorismond 4-0-0; Amanda Komisarow 1-0-0; Carolyn Nicoletti 0-2-0; Totals 53-4-3.0. (Assists) - Natalie Braun 19; Kelly Kirby 18. (Dig leaders) - Carolyn Nicoletti 17; Natalie Braun 14; Kelly Kirby 8
Site: Greenville, S.C. (Alley Gymnasium)
Date: Oct 21, 2011 Attend: 243 Time: 1:24
Referees: Debbie McLamb, Doug Fagan
- UNCG -
