Sergio Guerra, Sports Editor/Photographer

This past weekend saw UNCG Volleyball conclude non-conference play by hosting the Battle of North Carolina, which featured matchups against crosstown rivals NC A&T and UNC Asheville. The Spartans took down the Aggies in an emphatic sweep in Fleming Gym and were able to secure a difficult win over the Asheville Bulldogs to win both games before heading into Southern Conference action. The results of the weekend improved UNCG Volleyball to a record of 7-4 while remaining undefeated at home after five games in Fleming Gym.  

The first game took place on Friday, September 19^th, with local foes NC A&T visiting UNCG with a record of 3-4 and a two-game losing streak. In front of a packed-out Fleming Gym, the Spartans took a commanding victory over their Greensboro rivals with a 3-0 sweep. UNCG’s Allie Sweet led the match in kills (17), while Gabby Seeds led the match in assists with 38. Chloe Nussbaum was a defensive unit for the Spartans as she registered 12 digs throughout the match.  

The very next day, the UNCG Spartans were tasked with defeating UNC Asheville in UNCG’s final non-conference match. It seemed that this might have been too tall an order, as the Spartans found themselves 2-0 down after the first two sets of the match. In fact, UNC Asheville had won the second set in routine fashion, with a score of 25-15. However, UNCG rallied from the deficit after big offensive performances from Allie Sweet (17 kills), McKenna Timmerman (16 kills), and Connore’ Siler-Nixon (10 kills). Last year’s SoCon Rookie of the Year, Allie Sweet, registered a double-double with 17 digs on the night as well, followed closely by Chloe Nussbaum (15). 

The outstanding displays powered the Spartans to win three sets in a row to take the game and remain undefeated at home – a streak that UNCG will be desperate to keep active as Southern Conference play gets underway. The Spartans’ first SoCon test will be against the Furman Paladins this Thursday, September 25^th at 6:00 p.m. 

Around the Grounds 

UNCG Volleyball wasn’t the only Spartan team to find success this week, with nationally ranked UNCG Men’s Soccer defeating Liberty University 3-1 away from home on Friday, September 19^th. Steven Hernandez was back on the scoresheet with a brace, along with a goal from Arnaud Tattevin. The win improves the UNCG Men’s Soccer record to 5-1-1, with the Spartans back home this Tuesday, September 23^rd at 7:00 p.m.  

UNCG Women’s Soccer has kicked off Southern Conference play with a split record in the first week (1-1). The first match of the SoCon season was against VMI at home on Thursday, September 18^th. The Spartans won with a dominant 4-0 scoreline, headlined by a brace from Taylor Mentzer. UNCG Women’s Soccer was also in action on Sunday, September 21^st at ETSU, which saw the Spartans narrowly defeated 1-0. UNCG Women’s Soccer is back in Greensboro on Friday, September 26^th to face off against Chattanooga.