The UNCG volleyball team suffered their first Southern Conference loss of the 2010 season when the Spartans fell to the Catamounts of Western Carolina 3-2 with set scores of 27-29, 22-25, 25-18, 25-18, 11-15. The Spartans were led on the night by Bill Baker and Ariel Newman who both supplied 14 kills in the losing effort.
UNCG had two chances to win the first set of the day, pushing the Catamounts to set point at 24-23 and again at 26-25. Western Carolina scored three of the next four points to take the first set from the Spartans. The second set was close as well with UNCG trailing 23-22 before the Catamounts knocked in two more points to put UNCG on the brink.
The Spartans won the next two sets by using big runs, getting off to an 8-2 lead in the third set, and breaking open a 13-all tie with five straight points. After forcing the game to a fifth set the Spartans led 11-10 before Western reeled off five straight points to claim the match and hand the Spartans their first conference loss on the season.
Along with Baker and Newman, senior Caley Redden provided 11 kills for the Spartans, who lost to the Catamounts for the first time since the 2005 season. The loss ended a nine game winning streak against Western Carolina.
Kayren Finney led the Spartans in blocks with six, while Baker finished with five and Olivia Humphries added four of her own. Ariel Newman and Kellie Orewiler led the way with 20 and 17 digs respectively. The Spartans only had two service aces on the night, compared to six for the Catamounts, both courtesy of Ari Lysacek.
The Spartans play again Friday October 8 at Elon before a home match against Wofford on Saturday.
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