ELON, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) volleyball team dropped its final two matches of the Elon Invitational on Saturday with a 3-1 loss to Murray State (25-21, 15-25, 17-25, 13-25) and falling 3-0 to Elon (21-25, 22-25, 17-25) at the Schar Center in Elon, North Carolina.

Chloe Nussbaum was named to the Elon Invitational All-Tournament Team for her performance over the the three-game stretch. Nussbaum led the Spartans as the libero on the weekend, collecting a total of 44 digs. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (MURRAY STATE)
A kill and service ace from McKenna Timmerman gave the Spartans the 2-0 advantage to start Saturday's contest against the Racers. The first game remained close with Murray State gaining the lead on a few occasions. However, with the set tied at 11, an attack error from the Racers, followed by kills from Allie Sweet and McKenna gave UNCG the 14-11 lead. The Spartans held the Racers from taking the lead again in the first game. A set point kill from Sweet secured game one for the Spartans, 25-21.
 
Murray State came out of the huddle, picking up its momentum in the second set by tallying a 4-0 run to start off, never allowing UNCG to lead in game two. The Racers were able to take set two, 25-15, to tie the match at one set apiece.
 
A kill from Emily Hanlon followed by a block assist from Hanlon and Madeline Timmerman put UNCG up 2-0 to start the third set. The Spartans were able to hold the lead until the Racers recorded a 9-0 run to take the 12-8 lead and maintain the advantage the rest of the set. Murray State took set three, 25-17, for the 2-1 lead.
 
The Racers continued their momentum in the fourth set by getting on the board first and holding the lead for the entire final game. Murray State came away with the fourth set, 25-13.

BY THE NUMBERS (MURRAY STATE)

• Izora Gragg recorded her second double-double of the season and her career after leading the Spartans with 35 assists and 12 digs.
• Sweet paced the Spartans with 17 kills and was one dig shy of a double-double with nine.
• Madeline led the match with six total blocks.
• McKenna led UNCG with three service aces.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED (ELON)
The first set of Friday night's matchup with the Phoenix was a back-and-forth battle featuring nine ties and six lead changes. With UNCG in control of game one, 21-19, Elon notched a 6-0 run to close out the first set on top, 25-21.
 
Madeline put the Spartans on the board first in set two with a kill from Gragg. However, the Phoenix quickly responded with a 6-2 run to take the lead and held it for the remainder of the second set. Despite this, with the Phoenix up 22-17, the Spartans sparked a 4-1 run to come back within two (21-23). However, Elon was able to remain in control to take the second set, 25-22.
 
The third set started off the exact same as the second with Madeline getting UNCG on the board first with a kill. Despite a competitive start, Elon gained the 6-5 lead over UNCG and maintained the advantage for the remainder of the match. However, the Spartans held the Phoenix at set point for three rallies, but Elon was finally secured the 3-0 victory after claiming set three, 25-17.

BY THE NUMBERS (ELON)

• Hanlon led the Spartans with 10 kills.
• Gragg paced the squad as the setter with 30 assists.
• Nussbaum earned a new career-high of 20 digs.
• Madeline and McKenna led the Spartans at the net with two blocks apiece.

 
Records
UNCG: 3-3
Murray State: 3-3
Elon: 3-4
 
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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.