STATESBORO, Ga. - Junior Parker Small hit .722 with 13 kills on 18 swings leading Georgia Southern to a 3-0 (27-25, 25-11, 25-22) victory over UNC Greensboro Friday night (October 15) in Hanner Fieldhouse. The Eagles handled the second-ranked North Division Spartans to improve to 14-7 overall and 5-1 in Southern Conference action. UNCG dropped to 16-6, 4-3.

Small collected 13 kills with no errors to record her second-best hitting percentage of the season (.722). Bethany Sanford followed with 11 kills and posted a match-best 18 digs for her 13th double-double of the season. Sophomore Kate Van Dyke reeled in 40 assists.

The opening frame was the most competitive as the conference teams worked through 16 tied scores and seven lead changes. Small smashed five kills on five swings to lead the Eagles to a 27-25 first set win. Tied at 8-8, Georgia Southern took the lead using a 3-0 run for an 11-8 advantage. UNCG crawled back, knotted the score at 14-apiece and took a 17-14 lead, forcing Georgia Southern to burn a timeout. The Eagles evened the score at 17-17 as the teams would tie the set seven more times until Hannah Nelson handed the Eagles their second set point at 26-25. A Spartan attack error sealed the set for Georgia Southern, 27-25.

Sanford and Small combined for eight kills, four each, in the second set as Georgia Southern took a 2-0 match lead with a 25-11 victory. The Eagles took the final lead after a 5-5 tie and closed the frame with a 4-0 run.

The Eagles controlled the third frame, never trailing in the final set. Sanford racked up five kills to lead Georgia Southern to a 25-22 third set win. The Eagles pulled out with a 6-1 lead, but UNCG fought back, bringing the score to a one point deficit at 19-18. The Spartans kept the match to a one-point Eagle advantage until Small's third kill gave Georgia Southern a 23-21 lead. Sarah Gildersleeve sealed the match win at 25-22 with her second kill of the set.

The win snapped a six-match win streak UNCG held over Georgia Southern entering the match. The last Eagle win over the Spartans dated back to 2005 when Georgia Southern defeated UNCG in Hanner Fieldhouse, 3-1.

Georgia Southern plays host to the top-ranked foe in the North Division, Elon, on Sunday. Match time is slated for 2 p.m.

Furman 3, Western Carolina 1

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Junior Kelly Kirby recorded a triple-double to lead the Furman Paladins to a 3-1 win over Western Carolina in Southern Conference volleyball action.

After a tied score at 5-5 early in the first set, the Paladins went on a 7-2 run behind strong serving from sophomore Natalie Braun to take a 12-7 lead. The Catamounts scratched their way back in to bring the score within one at 17-18, but a pair of kills from senior Katherine Hall gave the Paladins the advantage and the team would go on to win set one by a score of 25-18.

Set two saw the Paladins again take an early lead, and the team rallied behind its pair of middle blockers, who tallied seven kills between them. Sophomore Caroline Adams and junior Alexis Shaffer spurred Furman on to a 25-9 win, holding the Catamounts scoreless for nine consecutive points to take the 2-0 lead in the match.

Western Carolina responded in the third set, taking a 9-5 lead behind a strong offensive effort from Amanda Chaparro. The Catamounts claimed the set by a score of 25-22, forcing a fourth set.

Sophomore Chandler Ambrester opened the fourth set with three kills to lead the Paladins to a 6-2 lead early in the set. The Paladins were able to capitalize on several Catamount errors while minimizing their own miscues, claiming the win by a score of 25-18.

Ambrester led the team offensively with 13 kills while Shaffer added 10. Senior Katherine Hall contributed 12 kills on 21 attempts for a .571 attack percentage. Sophomore Braun led the defense with 16 digs, while libero Elle Ross and setter Carolyn Nicoletti added 11 apiece. The Paladins' net defense recorded 13 total team blocks, and middle blockers Shaffer and Adams each contributed five.

Western Carolina was led by Amanda Chaparro's 15 kills, while Paloma Alvarez added 12. Setter Kelcie Randazzo paced the defense with 14 digs.

With the win, Furman improves to 11-8 overall and 5-2 in league action while Western Carolina falls to 7-16 on the season and 1-6 in SoCon play. The Paladins will face Appalachian State in a 2:00 pm matchup on Saturday, October 16.