GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) volleyball team split its season-opening doubleheader with a 3-1 win over Robert Morris (25-15, 25-16, 15-25, 25-14) and fell to Missouri State (19-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-17, 5-15) in a five-set battle in Fleming Gym on Friday.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (VS ROBERT MORRIS)
The Colonials started off Friday's contest with a 4-0 advantage over the Spartans. However, UNCG chipped its way back in to eventually gain its first lead of the match. With Robert Morris up 9-8, a kill from America Anderson began a 12-2 run for the Spartans to take a 20-11 lead. One last kill from Emily Hanlon, assisted by Izora Gragg gave the Blue & Gold set one, 25-15.

UNCG continued its momentum in the second set by starting things off with six-straight points, featuring four consecutive kills from Allie Sweet.The Spartans held their lead for the remainder of the second game. A kill from Madeline Timmerman put the Spartans up two sets to one, 25-16.
 
The Colonials found their stride in the third set, holding the Spartans off from claiming the match momentarily. The third set saw a total of four ties and three lead changes. However, Robert Morris was able to get on the board in the match with the 25-15 win.
 
Sweet put UNCG on the board with another kill to start the fourth set, never allowing Robert Morris to lead again in the contest. The Spartans took their biggest lead of the match in the fourth set with a 24-10 lead over the Colonials. One last kill from Sweet gave UNCG the 25-14 final set for the 3-1 win.

BY THE NUMBERS (ROBERT MORRIS)

• Sweet led the way with a career high of 27 kills in her first collegiate match.
• Madeline followed behind with 13 kills and adding three aces.
• Anderson led both teams with a new career high of six blocks.
• Gragg notched a new career high of 49 assists, two service aces and seven digs.
• Chloe Nussbaum led the way as the libero with 18 digs.

HOW IT HAPPENED (MISSOURI STATE)
Missouri State scored first in set one to never allow the Spartans to lead in game one. However, with UNCG down 17-10 in the game, a kill from Sweet, began a 4-0 run for the squad to come back within four (13-17). The Bears continued to hold the advantage for the 25-19 win in set one.
 
A kill from Sweet and service ace from Sydney Harrington started off the second set, giving UNCG its first lead of the match. The Bears came back to take a 10-6 lead, but the Spartans quickly responded with a 9-2 run to take a 15-12 advantage. The Spartans were able to maintain their lead for the remainder of the second set. A kill from McKenna Timmerman gave UNCG the second set, 25-21.
 
Missouri State controlled the majority of the third set. However, with the Bears on top, 21-14, the Spartans tallied a 4-1 run to crawl back within four (22-18). The Bears were able to respond with a 3-0 run to close out the third game in their favor, 25-18.
 
With the Bears holding an 8-6 lead over the Spartans in the fourth set, the team recorded a four-straight points to take a 10-8 lead and maintain the advantage for the remainder of the set. Back-to-back kills from Sweet gave UNCG the 25-17 fourth set to push to a fifth set.
 
Hanlon recorded the first point of the final set with a kill from Gragg. The Bears quickly responded with a 9-1 run to take the lead and hold it for the remainder of the match. A 5-0 run secured the 3-2 match victory to Missouri State.

BY THE NUMBERS (MISSOURI STATE)

• Sweet was one dig shy of a double-double with 18 kills and nine digs.
• Madeline followed closely behind with 12 kills and paced the team with four blocks.
• Gragg led the way as the setter with 35 assists.
• Megan Carron notched three service aces.
• Nussbaum notched 19 digs.

Records
UNCG: 1-1
Robert Morris: 1-1
Missouri State: 2-0

Up Next
UNCG returns to Fleming Gym on Saturday to close out the Spartan Classic with a matchup against USC Upstate at 2:00 p.m. This weekend's tournament is part of UNCG's Rawkin' Welcome Week.