Greensboro, NC – The Eagles had a strong first set but UNCG came out on top one set to three. Jace Kleffner led all players with 15 kills and Siani Yamaguchi had another double double with 40 assists and 15 digs. The team finished with a match high nine blocks and 84 digs.

How It Happened
The Eagles started the first set down 4-1 and trailed by as many as eight before going on a scoring run to cut UNCG's lead to two (15-17), forcing UNCG to call their first timeout of the set. Jace Kleffner responded with an ace serve right out of the timeout and the Eagles went on to win the first set 25-21. Kleffner led the Eagles in the first set with four kills and two aces and Sydney Gunter added three kills and two blocks.

Once again, the Eagles found themselves down early in the second set but a timely kill by Kleffner and an ace by Carlie Skelton cut the lead to two (10-12). After a Phoebe Wu kill the Eagles took their first lead of the set 15-14 and pushed the score to 23-20. UNCG responded with a 3-0 run to tie the set at 23-23. The Eagles and Spartans exchanged points and set point opportunities before the Spartans pulled away for the second set win 24-26.

In the third set UNCG went on an 8-0 scoring run which was finally ended by a kill from Lily Leistiko. Winthrop went on their own scoring run bringing the score 17-19. UNCG managed to hang on and take the third set 25-21. In the fourth set UNCG went on a scoring lead and despite a run late in the set, the Eagles could not overcome the deficit, dropping the set and match 1-3.

Up Next
Tomorrow the Spartan-Aggie Invitational continues with two matches at North Carolina A&T. The Eagles play the Aggies of NC A&T at 12:00 p.m. and the Delaware State Hornets at 5:30 p.m.