GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro Volleyball team opens its non-conference slate with a trio of matches at the Appalachian State Tournament on Friday and Saturday.
 
The Spartans will open its three-match series on Friday at 4 p.m. with a contest against Radford. On Saturday, they will play Eastern Kentucky at 10 a.m. and then close out the tournament with host, Appalachian State.
 
SPARTAN ESSENTIALS
WHO: Radford
WHERE: Holmes Convocation Center | Boone, N.C.
WHEN: Friday, August 27 | 4 p.m.
LIVE STATS: Stats Link
 
WHO: Eastern Kentucky
WHERE: Holmes Convocation Center | Boone, N.C.
WHEN: Saturday, August 28 | 10 a.m.
LIVE STATS: Stats Link
 
WHO: Appalachian State  
WHERE: Holmes Convocation Center | Boone, N.C.
WHEN: Saturday, August 28 | 7 p.m.
LIVE STATS: Stats Link
WATCH: ESPN+
 
ABOUT THE SPARTANS

• The 2021 Spartan roster has six new faces this season. Five freshmen, one transfer. Avery Sziksai, Daija Jackson, America Anderson, Jocelyn Carter, Kara Lehman, and Kayla White will add more to the already talented Spartans.
• Gabriela McHugh led the Spartans in assists last season with 354. During her two seasons at UNCG, McHugh has totaled 1,481.
• Defensive specialist Jenna Wiggs led the Blue and Gold with 222 digs. Amanda Garvens, another defensive specialist, registered 197 digs. The pair returns for their senior year ready to lead the Spartans.
• Brittany Wood (103) and Hannah Knier (113) were pivotal in the Spartans offense last season being the only two returners who registered over 100 kills.

 
SCOUTING THE HIGHLANDERS

• Samantha Reitz, a senior right-side hitter, returns as the Highlanders leading scorer. The senior led the team with 119 kills. Junior Hailey Flowers followed with 106 kills.
• Grace Green registered 168 digs last season and returns as one of the three senior defensive specialists. She also led in service aces with 15.
• The Highlanders finished the season with 99 blocks. Middle hitter Kennedi Johnson led with 49, followed by Reitz with 31, and Laila Wallace with 21.
• Head coach Sherisa Livingston enters her third season at the helm of the Highlanders.

 
SCOUTING THE COLONELS

• Sophomore Audrey Eurton led EKU with 571 assists during the 2020 season. Redshirt junior Sydney Schoen followed with 36.
• Outside hitter Molly Michalak had an outstanding freshman season. She led the Colonels with 184 kills. She was also second in digs with 150. Libero Josie Schmitendorf led with 241.
• Maddy Campbell was at the top of the blocking for EKU. The redshirt junior blocked 46 balls last season. Mikayla Logan followed with 33.
• Johnna Bazzani will enter her third season at the helm of EKU Colonels.

 
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS

• The pair of setters, Sam Bickley and Sophie Cain, split the responsibility. Cain led with 271 assists, while Bickley had 181.
• Cain is the leading returner in digs. The sophomore registered 88 in the season.
• The Mountaineers welcome six freshman and one transfer to the 2021 squad.
• Matt Ginipro is heading into his 15^th season as the head coach of the App State Volleyball team.