CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Senior outside hitter Maria Esch finished with 13 kills, 11 digs, three assists and a block, leading UNCG in a tough five-set loss at The Citadel in a Southern Conference volleyball match Sunday afternoon.

Freshman setter Haven McPeek had 29 assists for the Spartans (2-12 overall, 2-11 SoCon), who won the first two sets before The Citadel rallied for a 17-25, 21-25, 25-14, 25-14, 25-10 victory.

Junior defensive specialist Jenna Wiggs made 22 digs and set six assists for UNCG. Sophomore hitters Hannah Knier and Brittany Wood hit nine kills and seven kills respectively, and they made two blocks apiece.

The match featured three of the SoCon's top six players in kills.

Melanie King and Sharlissa de Jesus combined for 42 of The Citadel's 55 kills. DeJesus ranks second in the league, and King ranks sixth. UNCG's Esch ranks fourth.

UNCG and The Citadel (7-11 overall, 5-8 SoCon) play again at 5 p.m. Monday.