BOONE, N.C. – UNCG came out and took the opening set 25-23, but North Division leader Appalachian State rallied to win the final three sets as the Spartans fell, 3-1 (23-25, 25-15, 25-14, 25-15), on Friday evening in the Holmes Center.
Morgan Freeman led UNCG (13-14, 5-6 Southern Conference) with a team-high 13 kills and Karrian Chambers also posted double-digit kills with 11. Ari Lysacek had the lone double-double for the Spartans as she had 27 assists and 11 digs, while Kellie Orewiler recorded a match-high 21 digs.
Maggie Seeds had a match-high 14 kills and .571 hitting percentage to lead the Mountaineers. Kelly Rhein had a double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs and Meghann Forshey added 10 kills of her own.
The first set was close throughout as the two sides were tied 12 times. With the set tied at 21, the Spartans took advantage of a Mountaineer attack error and a kill by Vicky Harley to go ahead, 23-21. Appalachian State (17-8, 9-2 SoCon) would pull within 24-23 before Chambers delivered a kill to give the Spartans the first set, 25-23.
The second set was close in the early going, as well, as the two teams were tied at 9-all. The Mountaineers then went on a 7-1 run en route to winning the set, 25-15, to tie the match at 1-1 going into the intermission.
Appalachian State carried that momentum into the third set as it jumped out to a 9-2 lead. The Spartans trailed 15-9 later in the set before a 7-0 run by the Mountaineers opened things up and they won the set, 25-14, to go ahead, 2-1.
The Mountaineers used another 7-1 run midway through the fourth set before winning the set, 25-15, to win the match.
The Spartans will wrap up their four-match road swing on Sunday as they travel to Western Carolina for a 3 p.m. match.
AGATE
Appalachian State def. UNCG 23-25, 25-15, 25-14, 25-15
UNCG (13-14 (5-6 SoCon)) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Morgan Freeman 13-0-1; Karrian Chambers 11-0-0; Ariel Newman 6-1-2; Chelsea Evans 4-0-0; Vicky Harley 3-0-1; Kelsey Sidney 3-0-1; Ari Lysacek 3-0-1; Sarah Eldridge 0-1-0; Totals 43-2-3.0. (Assists) - Ari Lysacek 27. (Dig leaders) - Kellie Orewiler 21; Ari Lysacek 11; Ariel Newman 8
Appalachian State (17-8 (9-2 SoCon)) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Maggie Seeds 14-0-4; Kelly Rhein 11-2-0; Meghann Forshey 10-0-1; Alison Blasingame 9-1-3; Anna Wagner 8-1-2; Jessica Eley 6-0-4; Kasey Sauls 0-0-1; Totals 58-4-8.0. (Assists) - Kasey Sauls 32; Lauren Brown 19. (Dig leaders) - Courtney Rhein 16; Kelly Rhein 11
Site: Boone, N.C. (Holmes Center)
Date: Oct 28, 2011 Attend: 327 Time: 1:50
- UNCG -
