CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Facing a 2-0 deficit at intermission Friday evening in its Southern Conference opener at Chattanooga, UNCG pushed back in a big way but eventually fell to the Mocs 3-1 (16-25, 21-25, 25-17, 22-25) inside Maclellan Gym.

After the slow start, the Spartans (10-6, 0-1) actually ended up with more kills (59-55) and digs (96-92) than the home team while the hitting percentages were virtually even with UTC (12-2, 1-0) holding a slight .221 to .217 advantage. The Mocs also finished with a greater amount of total blocks (10.0 to 5.0).

Defensive play was a huge factor in the match as senior defensive specialist Katherine Santiago checked in with a career-high 34 digs. Freshman defensive specialist Christina Gregory notched 15 digs and junior outside hitter Jessica Brezwyn recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 16 digs to go along with a match-high 18 kills.

Senior middle hitter Julia Westerbur worked her way to a team-high .414 hitting mark in the four sets as she did not make an error and tallied 12 kills on 29 attempts.

After the teams played to a 4-4 deadlock to begin the match, a kill by Sarah Batterton sparked an 8-2 run that put Chattanooga ahead 12-6. UNCG scored two straight at that point but soon fell behind 18-10 before dropping the set 25-16.

A kill by junior setter Sara Hohman saw the Blue and Gold in front 6-3 as the second frame began, but UTC settled down and scored nine of the next 12 points to vault into the lead by three. The Moc advantage grew to 15-11 after an Allie Davenport kill resulting in a UNCG timeout. A Westerbur kill pulled the Spartans within 18-15 but UNCG was not able to quite catch up. The Blue and Gold fought off three set points before Chattanooga captured the set 25-21 to take a 2-0 lead into the intermission.

The Spartans fell behind 8-3 coming out of the locker room in the third set but the Mocs were not ready for what came next. Senior outside hitter Lauren Betlach went on a huge tough serving run that saw her and the Blue and Gold score a whopping 13-straight points. UTC took its two timeouts but it mattered not for, when the dust cleared, UNCG was far out in front 18-10. Chattanooga would not threaten again as the Spartans captured the stanza 25-17.

A Brezwyn kill saw the Blue and Gold take an 8-6 lead in the fourth set before the teams battled to a 10-10 tie. A back and forth tussle ensued from there until late in the set. UNCG was forced to call for time when a Lauren Gainer kill put the Mocs in front 21-18. The Spartans had one last answer and scored four of the next five points to tie the score at 22. However, UTC was able to escape by notching the final three points of the match.

UNCG looks to notch its first conference win Saturday afternoon at Samford. The Spartans and Bulldogs will serve it up at 3 p.m. inside the Pete Hanna Center.