CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Appalachian State offense that was as strong as ever in its win over Davidson Friday night struggled in its 3-1 loss to UNC Greensboro in the semifinals of the Southern Conference volleyball tournament Saturday.

Appalachian State, seeded second in the tournament, lost to No. 6 UNC Greensboro 30-27, 30-28, 28-30, and 30-22.

Lauren Swecker and Carla Durham led Appalachian State’s (19-14, 14-4) offense with 15 kills each, while SoCon Player of the Year Brittany Zahn and Dianna Thomas added 13 each. Durham committed just three errors and had nine blocks. The team finished with 11 blocks on the night, while UNCG had 12.

The Mountaineers finished 19-14 overall, 14-4 in the Southern Conference.

UNC Greensboro and Appalachian State battled back and forth in the first game until a kill by Branagan Fuller put the Spartans ahead 24-23. UNC Greensboro took the lead at 26-25 on a hitting error by Appalachian State and held onto the lead to win 30-27.

In game two, Appalachian State went on a 9-4 run to take a 24-19 lead on the heels four kills by Swecker, two kills by Thomas and two hitting errors by the Spartans. UNC Greensboro battled back to take the lead at 27-26 on a hitting error the Mountaineers. The game would be tied again at 27-27 but the Spartans pulled away with kill by Branagan Fuller, a service ace, and a kill to win 30-28.

Game three, saw the Spartans jump out to a 10-4 lead with the help of five kills, four errors by the Mountaineers, and a service ace by Kimiko Naito. UNC Greensboro held the lead for 27 points, until the Mountaineers tied the game at 21-21 with a service ace by Heather Kale. The score went back and forth with no team gaining a big advantage on one another. The game tied at 28-28 the Mountaineers closed the game out with a kill by Thomas and a hitting error by the Spartans to win 30-28.

The Spartans started game four leading 7-1 behind three errors, three kills, and a service ace. UNC Greensboro continued to score points and held onto the lead for the remainder of the game. The Spartans closed out closed out game four with two kills by all-conference member Kaitlyn Nortz and Fuller to win 30-22.

Kale led the team with 28 digs. Thomas posted 22 digs with four blocks in the match to finish second in each of the categories for the Apps. Senior setter Lorelle Rau posted a double-double in the game with 10 digs and 51 assists.

Greensboro ended Appalachian’s season a year ago in the conference tournament as well. ASU returns nine players, including 3 starters along with libreros Kale and Cassie Engelgau for 2008.

Rau, Thomas and Zahn each conclude their careers having left their marks in the record books.