GREENSBORO, N.C. – Behind another solid offensive performance, the UNCG volleyball team swept Alabama State 25-15, 25-14, 25-23 to win the Spartan-Aggie Invitational championship Saturday evening inside Fleming Gymnasium. The Blue and Gold moves to 9-2 overall and is off to its best start to a season since the 1995 UNCG squad also won nine of its first 11 matches. The Hornets drop to 3-7 with their second-straight setback. The Spartans did not drop a set over the weekend on the way to the tournament crown.

UNCG extended its winning streak to six matches which is the longest such stretch for the program since 2010.

Sophomore outside hitter Ashley Muench was named the tournament's MVP after an absolutely outstanding three-match stretch during which she averaged 5.67 kills per set and went off for a .467 hitting percentage. Senior middle hitter Julia Westerbur and freshman setter Allison Penner were also named to the all-tournament team.

Muench led all players with 17 kills and hit a team-best .429 while junior outside Jessica Brezwyn fell just short of double figures with nine kills and a .258 hitting percentage. Freshman defensive specialist Christina Gregory made her first career start at libero and came through with a team-high 14 digs. Penner turned in her second double-double of the campaign as she checked in with 40 assists and 12 digs.

The UNCG offense was clicking once again as the Spartans tallied 50 kills and made just 13 errors in 114 attempts for a .325 hitting percentage. The Blue and Gold also compiled 51 digs and 4.0 total blocks. Meanwhile, Alabama State hit .194 and notched 32 kills as well as 42 digs and six total blocks.

Muench fittingly got the night started off with a kill. Then, with the score tied at four, UNCG captured seven of the next eight rallies to pull ahead 11-5 and force a Hornet timeout. Alabama State fought back and drew within 12-11 but the Spartans recovered and netted the next six points to re-establish some breathing room at 18-11. The deficit would be too much for ASU as an attacking error by the Hornets gave UNCG the set 25-15.

The second stanza was another battle early but the Spartans were able to edge out to an 11-8 advantage after a Hornet attacking error. Alabama State would later call for timeout with UNCG leading 15-11 but the Blue and Gold allowed the Hornets just three more points the rest of the way to capture the frame by a 25-14 margin and take a 2-0 lead into the intermission.

Although the third set was close throughout, UNCG kept its composure and controlled it all the way. Alabama State called both of its timeouts trailing 11-10 and 20-18 and was as close as 23-21, but a Muench kill pushed the Spartans to match point and UNCG finished it off with a kill from Westerbur.

The Blue and Gold returns to action this coming Wednesday when UNCG makes the short trip over to Elon for a non-conference contest at Alumni Gym. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.