Chattanooga Defeats Volleyball in Five-Set Thriller
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) volleyball team took a heartbreaking loss to Chattanooga (26-24, 23-25, 20-25, 25-22, 13-15) in Fleming Gymnasium on Saturday night over a five-set thrilling match.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set one stood close early on. However, with the score tied at five, a kill and solo block from Madeline Timmerman, followed by a kill from Hallie Cook secured a three-point advantage for UNCG (8-5). The Spartans held the lead until the Mocs put up a late 7-2 run to take the lead (24-23). A kill from Daija Jackson led UNCG to a 3-0 run to close out the set. A kill from Aylin Baran gave the Spartans the set, 26-24.
After a kill from Baran got UNCG on the board first in the second set, the Spartans held the lead for most of set two. With UNCG up 13-10, the Mocs produced a 5-1 run to regain the lead. The remainder of set two went back-and-forth. However, with the score 22-21 in favor of the Spartans, Chattanooga notched a 4-1 run to take set two, 25-23.
Set three was very close early on with six tied scores. However, with the set tied at eight, UNCG recorded an 8-2 run to take the lead (16-10). The Spartans held the lead until later on in the set when the Mocs recorded a 9-2 run (19-18). Chattanooga held this lead for the remainder of the third set. A final kill from the Mocs’ Chard’e Vanzandt gave the visiting team the third set, 25-20.
Set four was more of the same with the Spartans and Mocs going back-and-forth featuring 12 ties and four lead changes. With UNCG down 18-19, two consecutive kills from Cook gave the Spartans the 20-19 lead. UNCG held the lead for the remainder of set four. A final kill from Jackson gave the Spartans the fourth set, 25-22 to extend the game to five sets.
Set five was no different than the rest with 11 ties and six lead changes. Following the final tied score at 13, the Mocs scored back-to-back points to earn match point, 15-13.
BY THE NUMBERS
Baran led the Spartans with 23 kills on the day.
Cook followed closely behind with a new career high of 16 kills.
Jackson and Timmerman both recorded a new career high of 15 kills in the match.
Timmerman led the squad with 4.0 total blocks.
Mallory Meers led UNCG with four service aces.
Izora Gragg led the Spartans as the setter with 31 assists.
Avery Sziksai came out on top with 16 digs for UNCG.
As a team, UNCG produced 71 kills to Chattanooga’s 66.
Records
UNCG: 1-14, 0-4, SoCon
Chattanooga: 13-5, 2-2, SoCon
Up Next
The Spartans will continue SoCon action at home next week by taking on The Citadel on Thursday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. and Wofford on Friday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. in Fleming Gymnasium. Thursday’s game will be professor appreciation and the first 100 students will receive a free t-shirt, while Friday’s game will be a “Pink game” in which the team will recognize breast cancer awareness.
Courtesy of Emma White
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro