CHAPEL HILL, N.C.- In UNCG volleyball's opening game of the Carolina Classic against North Carolina on Friday evening, the Spartans fought throughout a competitive match but fell 3-0 (23-25, 22-25, 19-25). 

“I'm very proud of how we played for the first two and a half sets. We knew the Tar Heels presented some challenges for us but we also came in very confident and ready to compete,” said Head Coach Corey Carlin. “We had good focus and great starts to both of the first two sets. Whenever you play a team like North Carolina you have to limit your errors and make the routine plays to put yourself in a position to win, especially on the road.

“We were right there for the first two sets then got away from that focus in the third set. We need to finish matches by playing quality volleyball to the end and we didn't do that tonight. That will be the lesson we take into Michigan State tomorrow.”

UNCG led for most of the opening set and even held a 19-15 lead at one point, but the Tar Heels swung momentum in their favor off a 5-0 run to take a 20-19 advantage. The Spartans also went on a 3-0 run to pull within one of North Carolina, 24-23, late in the frame. North Carolina would call a timeout to halt the Spartans' run before claiming a narrow 25-23 set victory.

In the second set, the Spartans took an early 3-0 lead. While the Tar Heels would eventually take over the lead, the Spartans remained within striking distance throughout the duration of the set and pulled even at 21 all before dropping the set 25-22.

The third set opened with a service ace for Allison Penner, but the Spartans were unable to score the victory, falling 25-19.

The Spartans (2-2) will return to the court tomorrow for a pair of games against Michigan State and Maryland Eastern Shore to close out UNCG's play in the Carolina Classic. Michigan State defeated Maryland Eastern Shore 3-0 on Friday evening before UNCG's match against North Carolina. 

UNCG and Michigan State will play at 11 a.m. while the matchup with Maryland Eastern Shore will be at 4:30 p.m. Both games will be streamed on ACC Network Extra.

-- UNCG –