Box Score GREENVILLE, S.C. – UNCG Volleyball suffered a 3-1 (21-25, 25-14, 25-15, 25-17) loss against the Furman Paladins inside Alley Gymnasium on Furman University's campus Saturday afternoon. The Spartans fall to 6-8 on the season, and 1-1 in the Southern Conference. Furman, the SoCon's preseason favorite, improves to 6-8, and 2-0 in the SoCon.
Alexis Mourier (Elkhart, W.Va./George Washington) led the Spartan offense with 11 kills. Allison Penner (Aurora, Neb./Aurora) contributed 24 assists. Christina Gregory (Louisville, Ky./Sacred Heart Academy) earned a match-best 20 digs. Grace Howell (Plano, Texas/Rockwall-Heath) earned her first start, racking up 11 digs.
The first set was a back-and-forth affair, as each team had 20 points before UNCG made the run. The Spartans closed the set out on a 5-1 run, aided by kills from Mourier and Ashley Muench (Hurdle Mills, N.C./Orange) as well as a pair of block assists from Jasmine Jones (Stafford, Va./Brook Point), accompanied by Penner and Mourier. Jones also added a solo block in the run.
The Paladins started the second set quick, scoring the first three points. Furman then extended its lead to five at 9-4 after a kill from Hunter Thompson. Furman continued to lead by as few as four, and as many as six before scoring seven of the final eight points to take the set.
Furman opened the third set how it finished the second, jumping out to a 7-1 lead. The Paladins extended their lead to as many as eleven at 18-7. The teams played even down the stretch, exchanging points over the final 19 rallies before the Paladins earned the set.
The final set was played evenly before Furman went on a 12-3 run to take a commanding19-9 lead. UNCG trimmed the lead down to seven before the Paladins finished the set, scoring three of the final five points to take the match.
UNCG Volleyball is back in action on Friday, Sept. 30th as they travel to Macon, Ga. for a SoCon matchup with the Mercer Bears at 6:00 p.m.
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