Greensboro, N.C. – The Greensboro College Women's Volleyball team hosted Mary Baldwin University and William Peace University in USA South tri-match action on Saturday afternoon. It would be a fun one in Hanes Gym as the Pride would come out with a 2-0 sweep beating Mary Baldwin 3-0 and William Peace 3-2.

Prior to the matches, Head Coach Kevin Troup honored his three seniors, Katrina O'Neill, Lauren Kunke and Mckenzie Norris.
 
Greensboro (19-12 overall, 13-5 USAS) vs Mary Baldwin (2-30 overall, 1-17 USAS)

The first set saw constant back-and-forth play as both teams exchanged points. A couple of late miscues by Mary Baldwin and a kill by Abey Hancock would see the Pride taking set 1, 26-24.

The Pride would find their groove in set 2. The set would start with three services aces from senior, Mckenzie Norris. Keeping the trend, Grace Klingensmith would collect three service aces of her own, taking the Pride on a five-point rally and extending the lead to 21-9. Katrina O'Neill would shut the door for the Pride as they took the set, 25-11.

Keeping their foot on the gas, the Pride would go on a 9-0 run early in set 3, leaving Mary Baldwin no hope. The Pride would take set 3, 25-13.

For the Pride, Taylor Cotie lead the way with eight kills. Mckenzie Norris would dish out 24 assists and Lauren Mantel would finish the match with 11 digs, respectively.

 
Greensboro (19-12 overall, 13-5 USAS) vs William Peace (25-7 overall, 15-3 USAS)

This match would be an exciting one as both teams would battle back-and-forth all the way to the very end. The Pride were seeking revenge as they dropped the match in their previous meeting with William Peace. They would certainly get that revenge, taking this match into five sets and winning 3-2.

The Pride came out with plenty of energy in set 1, eager to set the tone. The set began with both teams exchanging points. Both teams also went on spurts to try to take the advantage. The Pride down 21-24 would find one of those spurts from a kill by Taylor Cotie and some Pacer miscues taking the score to an even 24-24. Freshman, Payton Shiflet would then put the team on her shoulders and settle set 1, 26-24 with two hammer shots.

In sets 2 and 3, the Pacers would take back the momentum as they would produce multiple rallies that started with multiple kills from the Pacer front line. The Pride would have some miscues that would have them fighting to keep the match going. Set 2 score was 25-21 and set 3, 25-21.

The Pride would come alive in set 4, hungry to keep the match going. Service aces from the Pride and a four-point rally would put them ahead 13-12. Payton Shiflet would throw down another kill starting the deciding rally for the Pride as they took set 4, 25-17.

The finale was an intense one as both teams would trade points early. The Pacers were ahead 8-6 before teams would switch sides. Lauren Mantel would serve perfect dimes to get her team back even 8-8. The Pride would put all their chips on Payton Shiflet to seal the deal. Shiflet would stick a stamp on the set with two kills as the Pride took set 5, 15-13.

Leading the way for the Pride was Payton Shiflet with 24 kills and 14 digs. Taylor Cotie and Abey Hancock would both put away 10 kills apiece. Jaylyn Templeton would put up a match-high 48 assists and Lauren Mantel would tally 23 digs. Head Coach Kevin Troup would also collect his 100^th win of his career.

The Pride finish 19-12 overall and 13-5 in conference play placing them in third place. They will next host Methodist University in the first round of the USA South Conference Tournament on Tuesday, November 1^st. Time of the match is TBD.

For more information on Greensboro College Women's Volleyball visit www.greensborocollegesports.com