JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Maria Esch and Hannah Knier combined for 28 kills to lead the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) volleyball team during a tough 3-2 setback to East Tennessee State in a Southern Conference match at Brooks Arena Sunday afternoon.
 
ETSU won the match 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 25-17, 15-11.
 
It was another tough ending for the Spartans, who held a 9-8 lead in the fifth set after falling behind 4-1. Despite showcasing lots of grit, determination, and courage, the Spartans fell for the fourth time this season in five sets.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Esch led the Spartans with her fifth double-double of the season (15 kills, 13 digs).
• Esch has 806 career kills.
• Hannah Knier contributed a season-best 13 kills on 31 swings for a team-best .355 hitting percentage.
• Knier was a tower of power as she finished with a team-best three blocks.
• Gabby McHugh registered her fourth double-double of the season with 39 assists and 13 digs.
• McHugh had consecutive service aces late in the third set to help the Spartans extend their lead to 24-19.
• McHugh has 1,348 career assists.
• Brittany Wood started a run of four straight points in the third set that gave UNCG the separation it needed to take a 2-1 lead.
• Wood's kill snapped a 15-15 tie. She also ended the third set with a kill.
• Grey Breen tied her season-high with nine kills.
• It was the second time in three matches the sophomore had nine kills.
• Four of her kills occurred in the fourth set.
• Mandy Garvens had consecutive service aces in the second set to help UNCG win that one.
• Jenna Wiggs collected 18 digs for the Spartans.
• It was the third time this season she finished with a double digit dig total.

 
Up Next

• UNCG plays East Tennessee State Monday at 5 p.m.