EMERSON, Ga. — North Carolina Central University senior libero Erika Ianovale reached double-digit digs for the second time Friday in a 3-0 loss to Alabama A&M University in the 2018 MEAC/SWAC Challenge at the LakePoint Champions Center.
 
The Lady Bulldogs hit .234 in the match to complete the 25-19, 25-22, 25-19 sweep. AAMU finished the day 1-1 while the Lady Eagles start 0-2.
 
NCCU will wrap-up play in the opening tournament with a 4 p.m. clash against Jackson State University on Saturday.
 
NCCU HIGHLIGHTS & STATS:
 
Ianovale was making her first two starts at the libero position after playing on the front row last year. Her match-high 13 digs paced the Lady Eagles for the second straight tilt Friday.
 
Sophomore Christine Alcox topped NCCU's attack with nine kills. Junior Kennedy White tacked on six kills on a team-best .273 hitting percentage, freshman Morgan Goodwin ripped five kills and senior Whitney White chipped in four spikes. Goodwin also logged three block assists.
 
Freshman setter Isis Mitchell contributed 27 assists, freshman Celene Morris picked up 11 digs and freshman Arlanda Faulkner served up three aces.
 
ALABAMA A&M HIGHLIGHTS & STATS:
 
Sophomore reserve Megan Evans took over the setting duties with the Lady Bulldogs trailing 7-4 in the first set. AAMU's offense started to click from that point to jump ahead 18-14. The SWAC contenders, who competed in the first ever National Volleyball Invitational Tournament (NVIT) last year, only trailed one more time for the rest of the match to complete the sweep. Evans finished with 30 of AAMU's 37 assists as the Lady Bulldogs sizzled offensively at a .234 clip.
 
Senior Jaelin Gant was a big play maker with a double-double of 13 kills and 12 digs. Junior Terra Brooks matched Gant with 13 kills while sophomore Maya Evans chipped in six blocks (one solo and five assists).
 
SET-BY-SET:
 
1ST: Trailing 14-9, Alabama A&M was able to take over with an 9-0 run that was aided by six straight hitting errors by the Lady Eagles. The momentum stayed in favor of the Lady Bulldogs as they hit .345 for the set to win by six.
 
2ND: AAMU kept doubling up NCCU early at 4-2, 6-3, 8-4 and 10-5. The Lady Bulldogs eventually stretch the edge to 11 at 19-8. However, the Lady Eagles soared back into contention with a 12-3 run to close the gap to just two points at 22-20. The rally included two straight aces by Faulkner before Alcox pounded down four kills. NCCU continued to trail by a pair of points at 23-21 when two consecutive kills by Gant ended the comeback attempt.  
 
3RD: A couple kills by Goodwin helped the Lady Eagles to an early 6-4 edge. The Lady Bulldogs barked back by winning the next four points to leapfrog in front for good. NCCU committed as many hitting errors as kills in the final frame, allowing AAMU to successfully complete the sweep.