GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) volleyball team defeated USC Upstate, 3-1 (25-20, 25-20, 21-25, 25-20) on Saturday afternoon in Fleming Gym to conclude the 2024 Spartan Classic.
 
The last time the Spartans collected two wins in a three-match weekend was in 2022 in the Tussle in the Triad Tournament in Fleming Gym with wins over South Carolina State and UNC Asheville. 
 
Izora Gragg and Allie Sweet both recorded double-doubles in Saturday's contest for the first time in each of their collegiate careers.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
A kill from Sweet, assisted by Chloe Nussbaum put UNCG on the board first over USC Upstate. Although the first set remained close, UNCG was able to hold the lead for the entirety of game one. A 4-1 run from the Spartans, concluded with a kill from Madeline Timmerman secured the first set for the team, 25-20.
 
The Blue & Gold continued its momentum into the second set by starting it off with a 5-0 run. USC Upstate was able to respond with a 5-1 run, but UNCG bounced back with kills from America Anderson and Madeline to control the advantage. UNCG widened its lead to seven later with a 6-1 run for a 15-8 lead. A set point kill from Sweet gave UNCG the second game, 25-20.
 
USC Upstate scored first in the third set to take its first lead of the match. The visiting team continued to hold the lead for the entire third frame to claim it, 25-21.
 
The fourth set was a back-and-forth battle featuring 11 ties and four lead changes throughout. However, with the game tied at 18, two consecutive kills from Emily Hanlon gave UNCG the two-point lead, holding it for the remainder of the match. Four unanswered rallies for UNCG secured the 3-1 meeting for the squad.  

BY THE NUMBERS

• Gragg's 52 assists and 15 digs was a new career high for the sophomore.
• Sweet led the team with 16 kills and added 11 digs for a new match high.  
• Madeline paced both teams with four total blocks.
• Hanlon nodded a new career high of 14 kills.

RECORDS
UNCG: 2-1
USC Upstate: 0-3
 
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UP NEXT
The Spartans will begin their 2024 road schedule with a short trip to Elon, North Carolina, for the Elon Invitational from Sept. 6-7. UNCG will face North Carolina Central on Friday, Sept. 6 at 4:00 p.m., before returning to Schar Center on Saturday, Sept. 7 to take on Murray State at 1:00 p.m. and Elon at 7:00 p.m.