DURHAM, N.C. – Freshman right-side hitter Da'Nesha Miller rattled off a match-high 11 kills for host North Carolina Central University in a 3-0 non-conference loss to East Carolina University Tuesday evening in McDougald-McLendon Arena.
The Pirates hit a season-high .424 in the 25-15, 25-9, 25-19 triumph. ECU (16-9 Overall) snapped a three-match losing streak while the NCCU (3-17) suffered its second straight setback.
NCCU HIGHLIGHTS & STATS:
Miller reached double-digit kills for the sixth time in her rookie season. She smashed her 11 kills on 32 swings with just six errors for a .156 hitting percentage. Miller also tallied eight digs and two block assists.
The junior middle blocker duo of
Whitney White and
Jazmine Daye followed with six and five kills, respectively. Senior setter
Paige Phillips accumulated 16 assists and junior Erika Ianovale paced the Lady Eagles with 11 digs.
EAST CAROLINA HIGHLIGHTS & STATS:
A trio of Pirates recorded double figure kill performances. Senior Lael Ceriani matched Miller with 11 kills. Senior Ashton Mares and sophomore Toya Osuegbu both totaled 10 kills.
The hot-hitting ECU attack featured nine first-set assists by freshman Shelby Martin and 22 assists by junior Madison Clark over the final two frames.
SET-BY-SET:
1ST: ECU won 10 of the first 11 serves and cruised to the 10-point win after hitting .441.
2ND: The Pirates led from the onset again. A 13-2 run capped the lopsided middle set.
3RD: NCCU came out firing in the third and held a slim lead past the midway point. Miller ripped six kills in the frame and an ace by Ianovale had the maroon and gray up 16-13. However, ECU closed the period and match with a 12-3 run. The Pirates hit over .400 for a third consecutive game and used 18 kills in completing the sweep.
UP NEXT:
NCCU can clinch a berth into the 2017 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Volleyball Championship with a win in its next match when the Lady Eagles travel to Orangeburg for a league clash against South Carolina State University on Thursday at 6 p.m.
