Box Score DURHAM, N.C. – Junior
Ashley McCarthy and senior
Kalin Russell provided notable offensive and defensive performances in the North Carolina Central University volleyball team's four-set loss (26-24, 31-29, 19-25, 25-8) to the rival Aggies of North Carolina A&T on Friday, Sept. 27 inside McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium, in Durham, N.C.
The Eagles and the Aggies battled through 21 ties and 10 lead changes with NCA&T capturing the first two set victories before NCCU battled back winning game three. The Aggies closed out the rival game in set four with a 25-8 victory, defeating the Eagles for the first time since Oct. 8, 2008.
With her second-straight double-double, McCarthy led the way offensively for the Eagles earning 14 kills with five errors, on 28 attempts, hitting .321 percent while also contributing 10 digs and two blocks. Russell, earning her first season double-double, collected 10 kills and 13 digs while also leading the team with seven blocks and two service aces.
Rookie
Kelsey Murphy lead NCCU on the defensive end collecting a season-best 18 digs, while junior Da'sha Brown also recorded a double-digit kill performance with 12.
Contributing to the Eagles offensive was the setting duo of junior
Alice Genna and
Melissa Rabell Pineiro who circulated 24 and 14 assists respectively.
NCCU amassed 45 kills on 155 attempts, 42 assists, five service aces, 66 digs and nine team blocks.
Four Aggies finished with double-digit kill performances while Brooke Stamnes and Aleena McDaniel earned kill/dig double-doubles. Stamnes lead NCA&T with 16 kills, 17 digs, and two service aces while McDaniel collected 13 kills, 16 digs, one service ace and one block.
As a team, the Aggies finished with 58 kills on 159 attempts, five service aces, 67 digs, and seven team blocks.
NCCU drops to 0-17 on the season and 0-1 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, NCA&T advance to 2-15 and 1-0 in conference play.
The Eagles return home to wrap up nonconference play on Tuesday, Oct. 1 as they host Radford at 7 p.m. in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.
