Greensboro College Volleyball Tops Salem But Falls In USA South Quarterfinals Against Averett

Volleyball Tops Salem But Falls In USA South Quarterfinals Against Averett
Courtesy of Wes Gullett, Greensboro College Sports Information Director

DANVILLE, Va. – The Greensboro College volleyball team fell in the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals against the Cougars of Averett University Tuesday 3-0.

Prior to taking on the Cougars, Greensboro rallied back from a 0-2 deficit to defeat the Spirits of Salem College 3-2 in the first round.

In the opening set, Salem took an early three-point lead before the Pride rallied back to take an 8-6 lead of their own. Following the Pride run, Salem rallied back to regain the lead at 16-15 before winning 25-20 to take a 1-0 lead.

Following the Set 1 loss, Greensboro raced out to a 6-2 lead in the second set, following a service ace by Sarah Egbers, but the Spirits came back to take a 11-10 lead before winning the set 25-15.

With their backs against the wall, Greensboro opened the third set on a 6-2 run, forcing Salem to call their first timeout. After the short break, Salem was able to pull back to within one point of the Pride, but Greensboro was able to use a 5-1 run to gain a 14-9 lead.

After Salem called their final timeout of the set, Greensboro continued to ride their momentum and was able to pull away for a 25-16 win to send the match into a fourth set.

Following the Set 3 victory, Greensboro continued to ride the momentum and raced out to an 8-3 lead behind the serve of Stout. However, Salem used a 6-1 run to tie the set at nine, forcing Greensboro to take their first timeout.

The Pride was then able to regain their edge and quickly establish a 18-13 lead. As the set continued, Salem tried to pull back into the set, but the Pride withheld the pressure to tie the match at two sets a piece with a 25-21 victory.

The fifth set, Greensboro held off the Spirits and moved to a quarterfinal match-up with the host Cougars.

Sarah Egbers finished with a match-high 19 kills while Stout (16) and Carly Uhlir (11) also finished with double figure kills. Dixie Faulk had a team-high 29 assists while tying Uhlir with 25 digs.

Against the Cougars, the two teams traded the first 14 points before Averett used a 5-0 run to take a 12-7 lead. Greensboro was able to climb back to within one later in the set, but the Cougars were able to hold on for the 25-19 win to take a 1-0 lead.

Greensboro then struggled in the second set and fell by a 25-13 score before forcing a fourth set with a 25-17 win in Set 3 behind a five-point run to close out the set. However, the Pride was unable to overcome an early deficit in Set 4 and fell by a 25-11score.

Uhlir paced the Pride with 10 kills while Faulk had 27 assists.

With the loss, the Pride close out the 2019 season with an overall record of 17-17. For more information on Greensboro College volleyball, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.