UNCG will try to earn the number three seed against the Citadel this weekend.

By Daniel Johnson, Staff Writer

Published in print Nov.12, 2014

After a disappointing finale to Homecoming weekend with a loss to Furman, the Spartans came out the weekend with three conference matchups against Wofford, Mercer, and Chattanooga. With the battle for the 3 seed on the line, the Spartans swept through the week, which Coach Carlin discussed following the team’s final game of the weekend.

“We have been executing better” Carlin said. “We had a couple loses where we have been outplayed but I think in our victories, we responded well, kept composure, and had better execution”. This past weekend saw the Blue and Gold ended their regular season home matches with back to back victories.

Game 1: UNCG vs. Wofford

On Wednesday, the Spartans traveled to South Carolina to take on Wofford. A recurring element of most volleyball games this year is that the first set is usally the most difficult set as both teams try to figure each other’s strategies early in the match. After falling 26-24 in set one, the Blue and Gold took the next two sets 25-21, and 25-22. The Spartans finished off the game with a 25-18 set win. Senior Vicky Harley set a game high with 19 kills. Jessica Brewyzn recorded her first of two double-doubles this week, while Sara Hohman recorded her first of three, with Brewyzn finishing with 14 kills and 10 digs, while Hohman having 13 digs and 48 assists.

Game 2: UNCG vs. Mercer

On Friday, the Volleyball team returned home to face Mercer in what would be their toughest match up of the week, despite the fact that Mercer was the only team not to win a set against the Spartans this week. However, all three totals in Mercer’s sets were higher than any losing sets by both Chattanooga and Wofford. Their .417 hit percentage in set one was the highest in the match. Still, the Spartans swept the match 25-23, 25-22, and 25-22. Sara Hohman got her second straight double-double with 36 assist and 10 digs, while senior Kelsey Sidney finished with a team high in kills (12) and hit percentage (.455).

Game 3: UNCG vs. Chattanooga

Before the game, Vicky Harley, Kelsey Sidney, and Emily McMurtrey were honored as the senior class in their final home games. In his first season as UNCG coach, Carlin had nothing but nice words for his first senior class.

“I could not ask for a better group of young ladies. They provided great and consistent leadership all year” Carlin said. “Ever since I was hired, they have bought in, understood our direction, and have been instrumental in helping us take steps in direction”.

The team carried on that excitement to take a quick lead in the first set. Chattanooga though looked to spoil the night and took the first set, 25-21. With ethusiam perhaps a little high from the pregame ceremony, Carlin touched upon what happened that set.

“It goes back to keeping our closure. We had a lead and sometimes we have a tendency to relax when we had a lead” Carlin said. “Trying to coast on autopilot in this league does not work and Chattanooga proved that in the first set”.

The next set saw Chattanooga try to repeat the first, getting off to a slow start just to pull within two as the set began to close. After a timeout, the Spartans finished off the set 25-21. The final two sets, UNCG took back much of the momentum and won each 25-19 and 25-18.

Both Jessica Brewyzn and Sara Hohman finished the week with a double-double, while Kelsey Sidney finished with a game high 18 kills.

The win put the team a half a game ahead of East Tennessee State for the 3 seed. Wishing to gain the important three seed, Carlin talked about the importance of placing higher than ETSU in the upcoming conference tournament.

“Seeding is important for the postseason no matter where you are” Carlin said. “We are hosting this year which is a great thing for our fans and team”.

Next Saturday, the Spartans will be playing the final game of the season against The Citadel. Carlin message for the final game is clear.

“We need to play well. A win will help us wrap up the season, but being our last match, its important that we execute and play well for the win”.