George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
<b>UNCW</b>
GW Volleyball Sweeps UNC Wilmington 3-0
9/2/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2011
WASHINGTON - Freshman Kelsey Newman finished with a match-high 14.5 points and junior Katie Crosby assisted on 41 of the Colonials' 44 kills to lead the George Washington volleyball team to a 3-0 sweep of visiting UNC Wilmington in the GW Invitational at the Charles E. Smith Center Friday evening. Set scores were 25-19, 25-14, 25-21.
With the win, GW (4-0) opens the season with four consecutive victories for the first time since 2003, when they started 10-0.
Newman led all players with a match-high 14.5 points (14k, 6e, 24a). Two other Colonials finished with double-digit kills as junior Lauren Whyte (13 points) and sophomore Taylor Knox (11.5 points) contributed 12 and 10, respectively.
The Colonials controlled the tempo from the opening set as they held UNCW (1-3) to a .035 attack percentage for the match. GW sprinted out to a 9-4 lead to open the first set before the Seahawks managed to pull even at 10-10. Following a timeout the Colonials settled down to distance themselves and take the opening set 25-19, punctuated with a service ace by freshman Savannah Clark.
The momentum carried over to the second set, where GW used an outstanding defensive scheme to limit UNCW to a -.111 hitting percentage, forcing six errors and converting on 71 percent of sideout point opportunities. The Colonials also registered three of their eight total blocks in the second set.
The third set was the closest of the evening, featuring five lead changes and 16 ties. The strong defensive play continued for the Colonials as they held UNCW to a .033 attack percentage, forcing five errors and recording three blocks. The final tie came at 20-20 before the Colonials used kills by Newman and Taylor Knox and blocks from Whyte and MacKenzie Knox to pull away and take the set 25-20.
In the first match of the GW Invite, Central Connecticut State defeated NC Central 3-0.
The George Washington Invitational will continue Saturday at Smith Center with four matches beginning at 10:00 am. The Colonials will face North Carolina Central at noon and Central Connecticut State at 7:00 pm.
George Washington Invitational
Friday, September 2 at Charles E. Smith Center
Central Connecticut State 3, North Carolina Central 0
George Washington 3, UNC Wilmington 0
Saturday, September 3 at Charles E. Smith Center
10:00 am - Central Connecticut State vs. UNC Wilmington
| Watch Live
12:00 pm-GW vs. North Carolina Central
| Watch Live
5:00 pm - UNC Wilmington vs. North Carolina Central
| Watch Live
7:00 pm - GW vs. Central Connecticut State
| Watch Live
