Volleyball Earns Five-Set Victory Over East Carolina
CLEMSON, S.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) volleyball team earned a five-set victory over East Carolina, 3-2 (21-25, 25-17, 21-25, 25-21, 15-10), on Sunday afternoon at the Clemson Invitational in Jervey Gymnasium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Set 1 – The Spartans and Pirates remained within striking distance throughout the opening frame. East Carolina held a 21-15 advantage before UNCG rallied with six consecutive points to knot the score at 21. The Pirates answered with the final four points to take the set, 25-21.
Set 2 – After East Carolina claimed an early 10-8 lead, UNCG responded with a 6-1 run to move in front, 14-11. The Spartans continued to build their advantage behind kills from Hailey Clifton, Allie Sweet and Kendall Lanclos, extending the margin to 21-15. UNCG closed the set on a Clifton kill for a 25-17 victory to even the match.
Set 3 – The teams traded points early, with UNCG tying the score at 17 on a Sweet kill. East Carolina used a 7-1 run to pull ahead, 24-18, before the Spartans fought off three set points. The Pirates ultimately claimed the frame, 25-21, to regain the match lead.
Set 4 – UNCG raced out to a 6-1 lead, highlighted by kills from Connore’ Siler-Nixon, Sweet and Clifton. East Carolina rallied to tie the set at seven, but the Spartans answered with a 6-2 stretch to reclaim control. Lanclos delivered five kills in the set as UNCG held off a late Pirate push and forced a deciding set with a 25-21 win.
Set 5 – The Spartans opened the final set with a 4-1 run, sparked by two Sweet kills and an East Carolina attack error. UNCG continued to apply pressure at the net, taking a 12-8 lead following another Sweet kill. East Carolina trimmed the margin to 12-10, but Sweet responded with consecutive kills before a block by Izora Gragg and Siler-Nixon ended the match, 15-10.
BY THE NUMBERS
Sweet recorded her 25th career double-double and second of the season after leading UNCG with 23 kills and pacing the match with 16 digs. She added a pair of service aces and three blocks.
Gragg dished out a match-high and career-best 55 assists. She also tallied seven digs, one ace and a career-best four blocks.
Siler-Nixon totaled eight kills, two aces and a career-best seven blocks.
Lanclos added 15 kills and two service aces.
Clifton registered a career high of 13 kills.
Chloe Nussbaum recorded 15 digs, while Ella Burd added six.
UNCG hit .266 as a team with 66 kills, seven service aces, 62 digs and 12 blocks.
RECORDS
UNCG: 2-2
ECU: 4-2
UP NEXT
The Spartans return to Greensboro for the Central Carolina Clash from Sept. 11-12. UNCG will first take on crosstown rival North Carolina A&T on Friday, Sept. 11 at 6:00 p.m. at the Corbett Sports Center. The team will then open the 2026 home slate with a doubleheader against Davidson at noon and North Carolina Central at 6:00 p.m. inside Bodford Arena. All regular season home matches are free admission.
Courtesy of Emma White
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro