Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG Volleyball suffered a four-set loss (25-20, 25-16, 18-25, 25-21) to the visiting Youngstown State Penguins on Saturday morning inside Fleming Gymnasium. Jasmine Jones (Stafford, Va./Brook Point) led the Spartans with 12 kills, hitting at a .476 clip.
Along with Jones 12 kills, UNCG had four players who earned over six kills in the match. Allison Penner (Aurora, Neb./Aurora) led the offense with 34 assists, while adding eight digs. Christina Gregory (Louisville, Ky./Sacred Heart Academy) led the backline, earning 24 digs, and added an assist of her own. Anna Romaniszyn (Port Orange, Fla./Spruce Creek) and Ronni Katarzynski (Winfield, Ill./West Chicago) pitched in 17 and 12 digs, respectively.
Youngstown State grabbed an 11-7 lead early, scoring seven of eight points, benefitting from two attack errors and a UNCG ball handling error. A YSU service ace, along with a kill from Aleah Hughes put the Penguins up 17-11. UNCG rallied, scoring four-straight points to trim the lead to 19-15, but could come no closer as the teams exchanged points over the final 12 rallies, giving YSU the 25-20 victory.
The beginning of the second set saw Youngstown State jump out to a quick 6-1 lead. UNCG fought back, scoring seven-straight points to take a 9-8 lead. Robeck added three kills, with Rice adding another during the run. The Penguins closed the set on a 10-3 run, earning the 25-16 win.
The Spartans were able to grab the first set out of the intermission, scoring a 25-18 victory. UNCG gained its largest lead of the afternoon, going up 12-5 on a kill from Emily Keilen (Austin, Texas/Round Rock) and a service ace from Gregory. YSU cut the lead down to two on a service ace and a block from Lori Vanbeek and Hughes. The Spartans were able to take another five-point lead after kills from Keilen and Ashley Muench (Hurdle Mills, N.C./Orange). UNCG closed out the set on kills from Penner and Rebecca Rice (Raleigh, N.C.) before a Penguin attack error gave the Spartans the 25-18 victory.
Youngstown State was able to hold off the Spartans in the fourth set, earning the victory. After being tied at 20, Youngstown State earned four of the next five points, getting kills from Vanbeek and Sam Brown, as well as a service ace from Hughes.
UNCG is back in action this evening at 7:00 p.m. as the Spartans host Triad-foe Elon in Fleming Gymnasium in the final match of the Tussle in the Triad tournament.
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