GREENSBORO, NC – Kaitlyn Nortz became the
school's all-time leader in blocks and had a match-high 14
kills as UNC Greensboro rolled to a three-set sweep over Western
Carolina, 25-10, 25-13 and 25-13.
Nortz hit .571 for the match as the Spartans clinched a spot in the
Southern Conference Volleyball Tournament that will be played at
Fleming Gym later this month. The Spartans had just seven attack
errors and hit .400 as a team. UNCG set a team-record with eighteen
aces, including an individual record of 10 by Catherine Hanners.
Hanners' mark was not just a three-set record, but was the
most in any match ever by a Spartan. She also added a match-high 14
digs in the win.
The Catamounts (6-21, 3-10) were held to just 16 kills for the match and committed 15 attack errors.
The Spartans (17-9, 9-4) jumped out 5-0 to open the first set, two of those points coming on aces by Hanners. The lead hit double-figures at 15-5 with a Kayren Finney kill, one of 10 she had on the afternoon. UNCG continued to pull away from there for a 15-point first-set win.
UNCG jumped out quickly in the second set, as well. The Spartans scored seven of the first nine points before the Catamounts pulled back to within 9-6. The Spartans ran off six straight points, however, three of them coming on Finney kills, to pull away.
Coming out of the intermission, Western Carolina hung tough to open the third set. Carrie Minogue's kill kept the Catamounts within a point at 6-5. But with the score 9-7, UNCG scored seven of the next 10, capped off by a Nortz kill, to open up a six-point lead and win the third set going away.
Nortz finished the day with three blocks to give her 525 for her career, eclipsing the mark of Melanie Trexler (522, 1990-93). She now has 1397 kills, which ranks third in school history.
UNCG, winners of five straight at home, will host Elon on Wednedsay at 7 pm.
AGATE
UNCG def. Western Carolina 25-10, 25-13, 25-13
Western Carolina (6-21, 3-10) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Carrie Minogue 5-0-2; Rebecca Stoltz 3-0-0; Brittany Lysik 3-0-0; Katie Hennessey 3-1-1; Kara Lynzee Brooks 2-0-1; Totals 16-1-2.0. (Assists) - . (Dig leaders) - Katie Hennessey 9; Carrie Minogue 7
UNCG (17-9, 9-4) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Kaitlyn Nortz 14-1-3; Kayren Finney 10-0-3; Caley Redden 7-0-0; Billi Baker 4-0-3; Branagan Fuller 4-0-1; Alissa Beaudway 2-0-4; Emily Lindborg 0-0-1; Kayleigh Knerr 0-1-0; Lisa Fawell 0-4-0; Kimiko Naito 0-2-0; Catherine Hanners 0-10-0; Totals 41-18-7.5. (Assists) - Kimiko Naito 19; Lisa Fawell 13. (Dig leaders) - Catherine Hanners 14; Branagan Fuller 9.
- UNCG -