Sept. 10, 2009

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DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) - North Carolina Central University stormed out to a convincing win in the first set against Howard University, but the visiting Bison rallied to win three straight sets to earn a 3-1 (18-25, 25-23, 25-13, 25-18) victory on Thursday night inside NCCU's McLendon-McDougald Gym in Durham, N.C.

NCCU (1-7) seemed well in control after opening the contest with a 25-18 set one win, which saw seven tie scores and three lead changes.

Howard (1-8) answered the challenge by charging to leads of 7-1 and 19-12 in the second set before the Eagles responded. NCCU managed to pull to within one point twice late in the match, trailing by scores of 23-22 and 24-23, before the Bison held on for the 25-23 win.

That second set defeat seemed to take the wind out of the Eagles' wings, as Howard cruised to 25-13 and 25-18 victories in sets three and four to win the match, 3-1.

NCCU was topped by junior outside hitter Belinda Behncke-Biney with 11 kills, six digs, three service aces and two blocks. Senior Avaniki Campbell contributed six kills and six blocks, while junior Shantel Moore added six kills, five digs and two blocks. Defensive specialist Raven King tallied a team-best eight digs and Kiara Brown handed out 24 assists.

Howard was led by sophomore Tosin Elebute with a match-high 17 kills to go along with seven digs and three service aces. Junior Gazelle d'Artois recorded 15 kills with six digs, while junior Nicole Brown amassed a match-high 11 digs and rookie setter Jasmine King distributed 41 assists.

NCCU has little time to recover, as the Eagles travel to Rock Hill, S.C. on Friday morning for the Hilton Garden Inn Invitational hosted by Winthrop University. NCCU opens with Butler at 1 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 11), followed by a 5 p.m. contest versus Morgan State. The Eagles then play invitational host Winthrop on Saturday (Sept. 12) at 1 p.m.