Box Score North Carolina Central vs. Savannah State

DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – As the North Carolina Central University volleyball team advances their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference record to 2-2 on the season, senior Emanuelle Santos continues to be a driving force for the Eagles as they accomplish a three-set (25-14, 25-21, 25-15) win over the Lady Tigers of Savannah State on Friday, Oct. 14.
 
Santos led the maroon and gray with her fourth double-double outing of the season, the Rio de Janerio native amassed 14 kills and 16 digs.  Freshman Dayanna Arrufat added to the win with nine kills, while senior Shantel Moore, who returns to action after missing five matches due to injury, added eight kills to the win.
 
Sophomore setter Jzima-Malaki Kalao delivered 25 assists, while senior Tasha-Gaye Richards served a season-high four services aces.  Santos also led the squad in blocking with three block assist.
 
The mighty maroon paced to victory by turning 74 attempts into 39 kills, amassing 15 service aces, seizing 29 digs, circulating 34 assists and tallying seven team blocks.
 
Bianca Helton led the Lady Tigers in kills with nine, while Ashlee Butler distributed 11 assists.  Defensively, Bryana Gadis gathered five digs, as Asiha Williams collected three block assists.
 
Savannah State finished Friday night’s match with 19 kills, 17 assists, two service aces, 17 digs and five team blocks.
 
The Eagles stated their intent to win from the first set of the match as they jumped to a 12-3 lead over the Lady Tigers.  Before SSU could attain double-figures, NCCU was already four points away from a set one victory with a score of 21-9.  Savannah State found its hitting rhythm in the final plays of the set, but the mighty maroon would not relinquish their power, seizing the four points need for a 25-14 set win.
 
Still surging off the final minutes of set one, SSU found its competitive edge forcing four ties and two lead changes in set two.  With Eagles only ahead by three points 9-6, and their efficiency and steam decreasing, NCCU took a timeout. 
 
Savannah managed to go on a 6-3 run following the timeout, tying the match 12-12.  The two MEAC foes when point-for-point and wavered between two-point leads until the set was locked at 21 points apiece.  But, NCCU refused to fall in the nest.  Collectively, Santos and Moore sent three consecutive kills in the Lady Tigers territory, while Arrufat sealed the set win with one of her three services aces.
 
The third and final set of the match resembled set one, with the Eagles riding a 12-6 run at the 4-4 mark, which was the final tie of the night, forcing SSU to take a timeout.  NCCU would only permit the Georgia visitors to attain four more points before concluding the competition 25-15.
 
The Eagles hit the hardwood again on Sunday, Oct. 16 to host the defending MEAC Champions South Carolina State at 3:00 p.m.
 
Visit the official NCCU Athletics website www.NCCUEaglePride.com for up-to-date information on Eagle Volleyball.