BLACKSBURG, Va. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) volleyball team split day one of the Hokie Invitational on Friday by falling to Cleveland State, 3-1, (25-20, 17-25, 18-25, 18-25) but claiming a 3-0 sweep over Norfolk State (25-21, 28-26, 25-16) in Cassell Coliseum.

The last time UNCG claimed a straight-set victory was last season against USC Upstate in Boone, North Carolina.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (CLEVELAND STATE)
The Vikings notched a 3-0 run to start off Friday morning's match. UNCG chipped away to take its first lead of the match with a 4-0 run, featuring kills from Madeline Timmerman and McKenna Timmerman, followed by an attack error from the Vikings and a service ace from Sydney Harrington for the 9-7 advantage. The Spartans held the lead for the remainder of set one. A kill from America Anderson granted UNCG set one, 25-20.
 
Cleveland State recorded another 3-0 lead to start off set two. However, the Spartans took the 10-8 lead later in the set thanks to a service error from the Vikings, followed by a kill from Allie Sweet. UNCG maintained its lead until the Vikings posted an 8-0 run for the 18-13 advantage. Cleveland State held the lead for the rest of the second set, claiming it 25-17 to tie the match at one set a piece.
 
Game three started off going back-and-forth with seven ties and three lead changes. However, with the set tied at 11, the Vikings secured a 7-1 run to take the 12-18 lead and hold it for the rest of the set. Cleveland State secured set three, 25-18.
 
Set four saw the biggest battle of the match between the Spartans and Vikings with 10 ties and seven lead changes in the early goings. However, with the game tied at 10, Cleveland State notched a 4-0 run to take the lead and maintain it until the conclusion of the match. The Vikings came away with the fourth set, 25-18 for the 3-1 win.

BY THE NUMBERS (CLEVELAND STATE)

• Izora Gragg registered her third double-double of the season and her career with 38 assists and 11 digs.
• Anderson led the match with five total blocks.
• Sweet led the Spartans with 15 kills.
• Chloe Nussbaum paced the team as the libero with 14 digs.
• Aylin Baran made her first debut of the season in Friday's match against the Vikings.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED (NORFOLK STATE)
Norfolk State controlled the beginning of set one until UNCG sparked a 7-2 run to take the 18-16 lead. UNCG controlled the remainder of game one. A kill from Emily Hanlon, followed by a set point service ace from Sweet gave UNCG the first game, 25-21. 
 
A block from Madeline and Sweet put UNCG on the board first in set two. Norfolk State came back to take the 4-3 lead over the Blue & Gold and maintain it until late in the set. With Norfolk State in control, 18-12, a kill from McKenna sparked a 5-0 run for UNCG to come back within one, 17-18. With Norfolk State up, 24-23, an attack error tied the match to keep things going. Both teams continued to battle, but with the set tied at 26, back-to-back kills from McKenna secured the extended second set for UNCG, 28-26 for the 2-0 match advantage.
 
UNCG continued its momentum into the third set by notching an 10-3 run, never allowing Norfolk State to lead in game three. A service ace from Cece Fitz secured the straight set victory for UNCG, 25-16.

BY THE NUMBERS (NORFOLK STATE)

• Sweet led both teams with 13 kills.
• McKenna and Hanlon followed closely behind with 11 kills.
• Gragg led the match with 40 assists.
• McKenna led the team with two service aces.
• Madeline paced both teams with four blocks.
• Nussbaum led the squad with 14 digs.
• Graylinn Serge made her collegiate debut in Friday evening's match.

 
Records
UNCG: 4-4
Cleveland State: 5-2
Norfolk State: 2-5
 
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Up Next
The Spartans will close out the Hokie Invitational by facing Virginia Tech on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Virginia.