GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) volleyball team will begin their 2024 road schedule with a short trip to Elon, North Carolina, for the Elon Invitational from Sept. 6-7.
 

 
ABOUT THE SPARTANS

• Head Coach Felicia Turner is in her second season at the helm of the UNCG volleyball team in 2024. 
• Assistant Coach Trent Dunahoo is in his second season with the Spartans, while Assistant Coach Justin Paggao was added to the coaching staff in the summer of 2024.
• UNCG was picked to finish ninth in The Southern Conference (SoCon) Preseason Coaches' Poll.
• The Spartans concluded the 2023 season 1-27 overall and 0-16 in conference.
• The 2023 season was completed in the first round of the SoCon Tournament with the Spartans falling to ETSU in a four-set battle.
• The 2024 squad features seven returners and 10 newcomers (five freshmen and five transfers).
• Aylin Baran and Madeline Timmerman led the team at first and second in kills, respectively, last season.
• Izora Gragg returns with the Blue & Gold after finishing second on the team with 385 assists in her rookie season as a setter last year.
• Avery Sziksai returns as the best server on the team last season with 36 service aces.
• In addition, Mya Wood returns this season after leading the 2023 squad with 224 digs.

 
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE SPARTANS

• UNCG opened the 2024 season in Fleming Gym with the Spartan Classic, going 2-1 last weekend with 3-1 wins over Robert Morris and USC Upstate, but falling in a five-set battle with Missouri State.
• Allie Sweet was named the SoCon Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after registering a total of 27 kills in her first collegiate match against Robert Morris on Friday. In addition, she recorded her first double-double with 16 kills and 11 digs in the team's win over USC Upstate on Saturday.
• Chloe Nussbaum led the Spartans as the libero last week, registering a total of 50 digs.
• Gragg registered her first career double-double in the team's win over USC Upstate on Saturday after reaching new career highs with 52 assists and 15 digs. The sophomore led the team with 136 assists, averaging 10.46 assists per set.
• Madeline stood out as the middle blocker with 12.0 blocks on the week after collecting 4.0 blocks a piece in each match.

SCOUTING NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL

• The Eagles began their season with two consecutive matches against NC A&T last Friday and Saturday. The Aggies were able to take both matches in straight sets, sending North Carolina Central to an 0-2 overall start.
• Makenzie Searcy is leading North Carolina Central with 25 kills.
• Summer Campbell paces the team with 5.0 total blocks.
• Loren Johnson leads in digs with 30.
• Bella Dearinger stands out as the setter with 58 assists so far on the 2024 season.
• The Eagles will face two more SoCon opponents in their non-conference schedule in Western Carolina and ETSU.

 
SERIES HISTORY VS NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL
UNCG is 13-1 overall against North Carolina Central. The two teams last met in the 2022 Elon Invitational when the Spartans took a sweep over the Eagles.
 
SCOUTING MURRAY STATE

• The Racers began their 2024 season going 0-3 at the Sawyer Camillo Memorial Volleyball Classic, hosted by Louisiana last Friday and Saturday.
• Murray State fell to Jackson State, 3-1, and UT Arlington, 3-0, on Friday and then dropped a five-setter to Louisiana on Saturday.
• Ella Vogel led the squad with 24 kills and 12 digs in the team's loss to the Ragin' Cajuns.
• Darci Metzger was named to the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Preseason All-Conference Team.
• The Racers concluded the 2023 season with a 13-14 overall record and 7-11 in the MVC.
• Murray State will take on another SoCon foe, Chattanooga in its non-conference schedule on Sept. 14 at the SIUE Tournament in Edwardsville, Ill.

 
SERIES HISTORY VS MURRAY STATE  
UNCG and Murray State have met once in program history. The Racers took the five-set match from the Spartans in Fleming Gym on Sept. 6, 2013.
 
SCOUTING ELON

• The Phoenix began their 2024 stanza with the Wildcat Classic in Davidson, North Carolina, last Friday and Saturday.
• Elon dropped its three matches in straight sets with losses to Davidson, ETSU and Marshall.
• Belle Schall leads the Phoenix as the setter with 50 assists and four service aces.
• Sydney Love paces the team with 21 kills and 11.0 blocks.
• Caroline Doyle is leading the team as the libero with 53 digs.
• Love was selected to the Preseason All-CAA Honorable Mention Team.

SERIES HISTORY VS ELON   
UNCG is 27-18 in the overall series against Elon. The two teams last met on Sept. 10, 2022 in Elon, North Carolina, with the Phoenix taking the 3-1 match over the Spartans.
 
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UP NEXT
The Spartans will continue on the road by taking a trip to Blacksburg, Virginia, for the Hokie Invitational, hosted by Virginia Tech in Cassell Coliseum. UNCG will face Cleveland State at 10:00 a.m. and Norfolk State at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, followed by a matchup with the Hokies on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 3:30 p.m.