GREENSBORO, N.C. – Gabby McHugh paced the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) volleyball team with her fifth double-double of the season in a 3-0 setback to Samford in a Southern Conference match at Fleming Gym Sunday night.
 
The Spartans battled during the match in which they fell 26-24, 25-20, 25-16.
 
McHugh finished with 35 assists and 11 digs. This was her fourth match this season with at least 30 assists. She raised her career total to 1,405 assists.
 
The UNCG powerful duo of Maria Esch and Hannah Knier combined for 26 kills. Esch led the Spartans with 15 kills to raise her career total to 830. She added eight digs.
 
Meanwhile, Knier had 11 kills and a team-leading .421 hitting percentage on 19 swings. For Knier this was the fourth time this season she had double digit kills and the second match in which she hit at least .400. Five of her kills were delivered in the second set.
 
Mandy Garvens collected nine digs and Stephanie Meysembourg had seven digs.
 
UNCG turned in a solid performance in the opening set as it hit .308 as a team. A kill from Camille Anderson in the opening set gave the Spartans an early 7-4 advantage. Grey Breen recorded a kill to knot the first set at 24. Esch hit .385 and had seven kills in the first set.
 
Lauren Deaton had 17 kills to lead the Bulldogs, who won their fifth consecutive contest. Corinne Meglic dished 38 assists for Samford, which had 14 blocks.
 
Samford and UNCG play each other tomorrow at 5 p.m.