GREENSBORO, N.C. – The trio of Kelsey Sidney (12 kills), Jessica Brezwyn (10) and Vicky Harley (10) led UNCG to a 25-17, 25-15, 25-20 victory over The Citadel in Saturday night Southern Conference volleyball action at Fleming Gymnasium. 

The Spartans (11-8, 3-3 SoCon) recorded 50 team kills en route to a .404 hitting percentage, coming just 12 errors in the contest. A Muench narrowly missed joining her teammates in double-digit kills, finishing with nine, as UNCG had a dominating offensive performance. Also instrumental in the success of the Spartans was the defensive play of Katherine Santiago (15 digs) and setter Sara Hohman, who handed out 44 assists. 

The Citadel (6-14, 0-5) lineup was sparked by the offensive performance of Megan Sowell who drove home 10 kills and posted a .421 hitting percentage. She was joined by Dominique Williams (nine kills) and Bailey Kernodle (seven). On defense, the Dogs got three assisted blocks each from the duo of Kernodle and Lauren Hurt. 

The Spartans used nine kills, including three by Muench, to establish a 14-7 lead early in the first set. The Bulldogs answered with a 6-2 run, sparked by kills from Sowell and Kernodle, trimming the deficit to three points. UNCG regained its previous form and used three kills by Harley, two from Westerbur and five points in serve by Sidney to complete the eight-point win. 

UNCG doubled up The Citadel early in the second set, 8-2, following a kill by Westerbur. The Dogs retaliated by scoring six of the next 10 points in the set, capitalizing on three kills by Williams, cutting the margin to 12-8. A timeout by the Spartans resulted in five kills among the next 13 points, as they stretched the lead to 20-13. UNCG closed out the second set following consecutive kills by Brezwyn and Sidney. 

An energized Citadel squad came out strong in the third set, leading the Spartans 7-3 through 10 points. UNCG quickly bounced back and following a 6-2 run forced the first of five ties in the third set. The Spartans eventually gained the upper hand, 19-17, on a series of kills by Harley. UNCG allowed just three points by the Cadets for the remainder of the set as it completed its third SoCon victory of the season. 

The Bulldogs now head to Cullowhee, N.C., to take on Western Carolina at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.