NCCU v. Winthrop

ELON, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – Despite taking strong leads in sets one and two the opening match of the Elon Phoenix Classic, the North Carolina Central University Eagles could not pull out a win against the Winthrop Eagles on Friday, Sept. 16 in Elon, N.C.

 

The mighty maroon fell to Winthrop in three sets, 25-19, 25-12, 25-22.

 

NCCU began the first set with fire, pacing to a two-point lead. Senior Shantel Moore pounded the first kill of the match to surge the offense. But Winthrop kicked their defense into high gear with three consecutive blocks and forcing seven hitting errors. 

 

Winthrop went on a 6-4 run to tie the contest at 13-13 apiece. Costly maroon and gray attack errors paced Winthrop to a 25-19 win. Winthrop concluded the set with four team blocks led by junior outside hitter Carolyn Weed.

 

The second set of the match belonged to Winthrop as the Eagles could not successfully provide freshman setter Alice Genna with a descent pass on serve receive. The maroon offense accumulated five kills on 31 attempts in the 25-12 set loss.

 

After a 10-minute intermission, the two squads returned to the court for set three. NCCU took a three-point lead within minutes of the sets, with senior Tasha-Gaye Richards sending two pronounced kills into Winthrop territory. 

 

However, with the Winthrop block still in effect the Eagles lost the led and were tied 12-12.

 

The two teams went point-for-point, kill-for-kill until the 19-19 mark. With two NCCU errors, Winthrop managed a two-point lead to take a final 25-22 win.

 

Moore paced the Eagles offense with 10 kills in the loss. Sophomore Jzima-Malaki Kalao and Genna shared the setting responsibilities, but Kalao topped the assists with 13. Freshman Dayanna Arrufat, sophomore Kalin Russell, and Moore each dug five Winthrop attempts. Richards led the blocking campaign by assisting on four blocks.

 

As a unit, NCCU conclude the match with 30 kills, 22 digs and seven team blocks.

 

Winthrop’s offense was paced by senior middle hitter Becca Toor, who finished the night with 13 kills. Sophomore setter Stephanie Palmer circulated 28 assists amongst her Eagles’. Outside hitter Lauren Landsman and freshman defensive specialist Catherine Brusie amassed seven digs apiece, while Toor, Weed and right-side hitter Brittany Blackman each assisted on three blocks.

 

NCCU drops to 0-9 on the season, while Winthrop advances to 6-5.  

 

The Eagles will continue the Elon Phoenix Classic with a 12:30 p.m. match against Elon, followed by a 4:30 p.m. contest against Campbell on Saturday, Sept. 17. This is the second time NCCU will face Elon and Campbell this season.

 

Elon will provide live stats, video and audio during the Elon Phoenix Classic. Visit the official NCCU athletics website at www.NCCUEaglePride.com for up-to-date information on Eagle Volleyball.