Written by Staci Green

DURHAM, N.C.- Sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Murphy (Rancho Cucamonga, California) earned a career-high of 23 kills and her fifth double-double of the season, despite the North Carolina Central University volleyball 3-1 fall (26-24, 21-25, 25-16, 25-17) to Florida A&M University Sunday, Nov. 2 in the Leroy T. Walker Complex.

Twenty-three was the number of choice in Sunday's game as Melissa Rabell Pineiro (Canovanas, Puerto Rico) contributed 23 digs, Alice Genna (Rome, Italy) added 23 assists, and Murphy accumulated 23 kills.

Murphy also contributed to the defense with 12 digs.

NCCU came on strong in the opening set, taking an early lead and maintaining the lead for the majority of the set. The Rattlers gave the Eagles a fight late in the set as they tied the game at 22, after a 5-0 run.

The Eagles stood firm and regained the lead, but FAMU took NCCU to extra points and won the first set 26-24.

With a set one loss, the Eagles added more fuel to their fire. FAMU's errors gave NCCU the early advantage and the Eagles led 5-1 in the second set.

A kill by Murphy matched the score at 18 and the Eagles took the lead, winning the second set with a 7-3 run, 25-21.

FAMU tightened up in sets three and four with a combined 31 kills and 45 digs. NCCU failed to maintain the lead beyond the first three points in either set. The Eagles fell short 25-16 in the third set and 25-17 in the fourth set.

NCCU will compete again Friday, Nov. 7 in the Leroy T. Walker Complex against the South Carolina State University Bulldogs at 7 p.m.