Spartans host cross-town rival N.C. A&T on Wednesday

Ari Lysacek

Final	1	2	3	4	5	T
North Carolina A&T (1-9)	15	8	16			0
UNCG (9-3)	25	25	25			3

North Carolina A&T	UNCG
K: DANIELS,Jeana - 7 B: 2 Players (#3, #5 - 1) D: INMAN,Amber - 12 SA: 2 Players (#7, #9 - 1)	K: Ariel Newman - 9 B: 3 Players (#1, #2, #6 - 2) D: Ariel Newman - 8 SA: Olivia Humphries - 7

TEAM STATISTICS	North Carolina A&T	UNCG
Hitting %	.013	.258
Blocks	1.0	5.0
Digs	35	38
Aces	2	13

full stats

UNCG (8-3) vs. North Carolina A&T (1-8) Sept. 15, 6 p.m., Fleming Gymnasium

Livestats: UNCGSpartans.com
Live video: Spartan All Access (free all season)

Storylines:

- UNCG returns home for its home-opener this week as the Spartans host cross-town rival North Carolina A&T at 6 p.m. in Fleming Gymnasium on Wednesday.

- This past weekend, UNCG traveled to Johnson City, Tenn. where it went 1-2 at the Buccaneer Classic. The Spartans began the tournament with a 3-1 victory over UNC Asheville, but fell to East Tennessee State, 3-1, and Austin Peay, 3-0, on Saturday. Senior Alissa Beaudway earned all-tournament team honors for her efforts over the weekend.

- The Spartans are 14-2 in the all-time series against North Carolina A&T. The two teams met last season at North Carolina A&T, where the Spartans swept the Aggies, 3-0. The last time the Spartans lost to the Aggies was in 2001 when UNCG fell at home, 3-2. UNCG has won the meeting between the two sides the past five seasons and has only dropped two sets during those five matches.

- The Aggies come into the match with a 1-8 record so far this season. North Carolina A&T dropped its first three matches of the season before defeating Savannah State in its home-opener. In fact, the Aggies have yet to play a match longer than three sets this season. Their one win and all of their losses have been by a 3-0 score.

- Senior Kayren Finney is off to a great start this season as she currently leads the Southern Conference in blocks. She currently has 54 blocks this season for a 1.46 blocks per set average. Her 1.46 blocks/set average also ranks her 10^th nationally this week. Setter Ari Lysacek also shows up as she ranks fourth in assists per set with 8.32 and is also fourth in service aces with 0.46 per set.

- The Spartans began the season with an impressive 8-1 record over their first nine matches. That marked the best start in school history since UNCG began the 1994 season 9-1.

- The Spartans kicked off their 2010 season by claiming the Spartan Classic title in Norfolk, Va. On Friday, UNCG swept Navy, 3-0, to begin the tournament before defeating Kent State, 3-1. UNCG came back on Saturday and beat host Norfolk State in five sets and then dismantled Providence, 3-1.

- In addition to winning the Spartan Classic, sophomore Olivia Humphries and junior Ariel Newman earned all-tournament honors. Humphries won the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award, as well.

- UNCG returns eight players, including four starters, from the 2009 squad that went 17-14 overall and 9-7 in the Southern Conference. The Spartans finished the season tied for third in the North Division and missed making the postseason by one game.

- Last week, the Spartans were tabbed to finish in fourth place in the North Division by the head coaches in the SoCon. Samford was picked to win the North Division, while reigning SoCon Tournament Champion College of Charleston was chosen to claim the South Division.

- The Spartans welcome seven newcomers to the program this year. Sarah Eldridge comes in as a junior after transferring from a successful two years at Cowley County Community College, while Karrian Chambers, Samantha Deutchman, Lara Keyes, Kellie Orewiler, Karen Stedman and Savannah Tomlinson enter as freshman.

- The Spartans lost three seniors to graduation at the completion of the 2009 season, including former libero Catherine Hanners. Upon the completion of the season, she was named the SoCon Libero of the Year, as well as earning second-team All-SoCon honors.

- UNCG -