Written by Staci Green

Video:  NCCU Volleyball vs. NC A&T:  http://youtu.be/3W1kDwKan0w

DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University volleyball team pulled off a thrilling five-set, 3-2 victory (25-21, 16-25, 27-25, 26-28, 15-11) against the long-time rival North Carolina A&T State University Aggies on Sunday, Oct. 26 in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.

Sophomore Kelsey Murphy (Rancho Cucamonga, California) and Senior Emily Eswonia (Tempe, Arizona) had career-high afternoons.

Murphy lead the match with 21 kills (.200) and Eswonia had a personal best of eight kills (.250) and 23 digs. Eswonia also contributed a pair of service aces.

Redshirt junior Melissa Rabell Pineiro (Canovanas, Puerto Rico) posted her seventh double-digit performance this season with 29 digs; also a game high.

With six lead changes and 11 ties, the Eagles battled back and forth with the Aggies in the opening set. The score difference was never more than five, and the Eagles managed to steal the set 25-21 with a set point service ace by Da'sha Brown (Gaston, South Carolina).

NCCU lost its spark in the second set, suffering a 4-0 opening run by the Aggies and failing to gain the lead. The Eagles managed to tie the game at seven, but could not stand strong against NCAT to come away with a second set win, falling 25-16.

The match was tied 1-1 at the 10-minute break.

The Eagles endured another slow start, causing them to trail midway through the third set, suffering a 10-5 deficit from the Aggies.

Late in the set, NCCU decided to reverse the pressure. The Eagles created an energy-filled comeback, winning 27-25 on back-to-back kills from Murphy and Brown. NCCU took the match lead at 2-1.

As NCCU rallied in the fourth set, attempting to take the match, the Eagles encountered turbulence halfway through, losing the lead and lagging behind an 8-4 run.

The Eagles toughed up to create another comeback, knotting the score at 20 and taking the lead at 22-21, but could not find enough to close out the set during the extra points, dropping 28-26.

NCCU and NCAT were tied 2-2, but the Eagles pushed hard, only allowing one Aggie lead in set five, earning their first home win of the season, with a 15-11 fifth-set victory.

The Eagles will hit the court again Friday, Oct. 31 in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at 7 p.m.