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.