| Who |
UNCG (0-0) at Chattanooga (2-0) |
| When |
Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, 4:00 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, 4:00 p.m. |
| Where |
Maclellan Gymnasium -- Chattanooga, Tenn. |
| Series History/Streak |
Chattanooga leads 28-21 / UNCG W5 |
| Last Meeting |
UNCG 3, Chattanooga 1 (Nov. 9, 2019) |
| Watch |
Sunday
Monday |
| Live Stats |
CLICK HERE |
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) volleyball team will jump right into Southern Conference (SoCon) competition when it visits Chattanooga to begin its 2021 spring season.
The Spartans had their season-opener postponed against North Carolina A&T. Their attempt to add another game fell through leaving the Spartans excited to compete against another opponent.
UNCG has won five consecutive matches against Chattanooga. The Spartans captured each match last season by 3-1 scores. In last year's six-hour trip to Chattanooga, the Spartans won the final three sets behind
Maria Esch, who enjoyed an impactful night with 21 kills, 18 digs and a match-best .308 hitting percentage.
UNCG welcomes back an experienced squad as 11 players return from last season led by
Esch and sophomore Gabriella McHugh.
Last season, Esch ranked fourth in the SoCon in kills per set (3.52). She led the Spartans with 384 kills, which was the 10th best single-season total in program history. With 729 career kills, Esch is 11th in program history. She has the opportunity to become the seventh UNCG volleyball player to finish her career with 1,000 kills. Esch also led the Spartans with 292 digs.
Meanwhile, McHugh had 1,127 assists last season, becoming one of six Spartans to gather over 1,100 assists in a season. Her career total already ranks eighth in program history since the start of the rally scoring era. McHugh ranked fourth in the SoCon in assists per set (10.06). She also had 30 service aces, which was second on the team.
Chattanooga defeated North Alabama, 3-0, last week behind
Hayden McGee (14 kills),
Sophia Bossong (34 assists, 10 digs) and
Paige Gallentine (16 digs). In addition to the young trio, redshirt freshman
Mackenzie Saitta chipped in on offense with seven kills while true freshman
Sarah Flynn added four kills and 4.0 total blocks. Sophomore
Coniah Davis posted six kills and 4.0 total blocks, adding to the impressive young core.
UNCG returns home to face Mercer on Sunday Feb. 7 and Monday, Feb. 8 in Fleming Gym. On Sunday, the Spartans will celebrate their senior triumvirate of Esch,
Holly Behrends and
Giana Rasmussen.
