August 30, 2011

GREENSBORO, N.C. – After taking the opening set, Wingate rallied in the final two sets as UNCG fell to the Bulldogs, 3-0 (25-20, 27-25, 25-22), in an exhibition match on Tuesday night in Fleming Gymnasium.

Ariel Newman led the Spartan offense as she recorded a match-high 13 kills and added 14 digs for a double-double. Karrian Chambers nearly had a double-double of her own as she had nine kills and eight digs, while Kellie Orewiler added a match-high 22 digs.

The Bulldogs were led by Grace Krauser who had a team-high 12 kills and a .370 hitting percentage. Liz Willis had a match-high 31 digs and 10 digs for the lone Wingate double-double.

The Spartans struggled in the opening set as they committed 16 errors, which allowed Wingate to take the early lead. The Bulldogs, who advanced to the Division II elite eight last season, never trailed in the set. UNCG would pull within 20-18 down the stretch, but Wingate called a timeout and ended the set on a 5-2 run.

UNCG came out with renewed vigor in the second set as it stormed out to a 6-2 lead, forcing the Bulldogs to use their first timeout. The Spartans seemed to be in control of the set as they extended their lead out to 16-9 on a kill by Chambers.

The Bulldogs then mounted a rally and went on a 7-1 run to make it 17-16 late in the set. Wingate eventually pulled even with UNCG at 23 and had two set points before winning the set, 27-25, to take a 2-0 lead into intermission.

The third set started very similar to the second set as UNCG came out of the break and took an 8-2 lead. Also like the second set, Wingate rallied with an 8-3 run of its own to pull within 11-10. The two teams would trade points for the rest of the set as the Spartans held a narrow 22-21 lead late.

The Bulldogs would go on to take the final four points of the match, the last two on kills by Susie Murach, to win the set, 25-22, and the match, 3-0.

The Spartans will return to action this weekend as they travel to the George Mason Patriot Invitational.

AGATE

Wingate def. UNCG 25-20, 27-25, 25-22

Wingate (Kills-aces-blocks) - Grace Krauser 12-0-2; Susie Murach 7-3-3; Cory McGowan 6-0-1; Anna Hilton 5-0-1; Liz Willis 3-0-0; Lexi Potter 2-0-1; Janice Ehorn 1-0-0; Stephanie Tassone 1-1-1; Kelsey Handel 1-0-1; Maggie Malone 0-1-0; Totals 38-5-5.0. (Assists) - Liz Willis 31. (Dig leaders) - Susie Murach 15; Maggie Malone 13; Liz Willis 10; Stephanie Tassone 8

UNCG (Kills-aces-blocks) - Ariel Newman 13-0-1; Karrian Chambers 9-2-1; Ari Lysacek 8-0-0; Morgan Freeman 7-0-1; Kelsey Sidney 3-0-0; Vicky Harley 2-0-1; Emily McMurtrey 0-1-0; Totals 42-3-2.0. (Assists) - Emily McMurtrey 17; Ari Lysacek 11. (Dig leaders) - Kellie Orewiler 22; Ariel Newman 14; Ari Lysacek 9; Karrian Chambers 8

Site: Greensboro, N.C. (Fleming Gymnasium)
Date: Aug 30, 2011   Attend: 113   Time: 1:29  
Referees: John White, Brian Jones

- UNCG -