GREENSBORO, NC – The Greensboro College volleyball team hosted Averett University in front of an electric Hanes Gymnasium on Thursday night. Despite a hard fought effort, the Pride came up just short falling to the Cougars in five sets, 3-2.
 
After dropping the opening set of the match 25-17, Greensboro was able to rally late in the second set to even the match a one set apiece with a 26-24 win. With the score at 24-20 in favor of the Cougars, Greensboro ran off six straight points to earn the set win. In the six point run, Brandy Johnson, Vannesa Marquez, and Darrian Bolt each recorded one kill.
 
Averett then regained the lead by taking the third set of the match 25-23 forcing Greensboro into a must win fourth set of the match.
 
In the fourth set, the Pride continued to feed off the electric crowd to force a decisive fifth set of play. The two teams were knotted up at 18-18 when Greensboro was able to take control of the set with another six point run to gain a 24-18 lead. On set point for the Pride, Vannesa Marquez put the set away with her fifth kill of the night.
 
Despite fighting hard until the end of the fifth set, Greensboro came up just short dropping the set 15-9 and the match 3-2.
 
When asked about the match, senior setter Bari Tressler had this to say, "Tonight's match was a great one regardless of the outcome. In my four years here at Greensboro College, we have never played Averett that well. We have come such a long way this season, and if we keep working this hard possibilities are endless."
 
"Tonight we came out ready to prove a point, not only to the great crowd in attendance, but to ourselves," stated Head Coach Kaci Pike. " The final score may not be what we wanted, but we have proven what we are capable of."
 
Shayla Moss led the way for Greensboro with nine kills on the night. Brandy Johnson also contributed eight kills while Megan Baranko chipped in seven. Bari Tressler and Darrian Bolt combined for 36 assists on the night.
 
The Pride (5-12, 2-5 USA South) will return to action this Saturday at Methodist University. Greensboro will take on the host Monarchs at 10:00 AM before squaring off with the Angels of Meredith College at 2:00 PM. For the latest on the Pride volleyball team , continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.