EMERSON, Ga. — A revamped North Carolina Central University lineup took the two-time defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champions to the brink in a 3-2 season-opening loss to Alabama State University in 2018 MEAC/SWAC Challenge at the LakePoint Convention Center Friday afternoon.
 
The Hornets had to rally from a 2-nil deficit to claim the dramatic 25-27, 20-25, 28-26, 28-26, 15-11 win in which three of the five sets were extended to extra points. ASU (1-0) has appeared in two straight NCAA Division I National Championship tournaments. NCCU (0-1) will continue play in the challenge against Alabama A&M University on Friday at 4 p.m.
 
NCCU HIGHLIGHTS & STATS:
 
A few newcomers jumped into the starting lineup and immediately made an impact. Freshman Morgan Goodwin posted a team-high .364 hitting percentage and flirted with a double-double by adding eight blocks to a dozen kills. Classmate Isis Mitchell took over the vacant setter position and had a solid debut with 38 assists and 15 digs. Other benefactors to Mitchell's helpers were sophomore Christine Alcox with a team-high 13 kills, senior Whitney White with nine kills and junior transfer Jessica Pilivi with eight spikes.
 
NCCU's defense was highlighted with four players tallying double-digit digs. Senior Erika Ianovale scooped up 17, Pilivi tallied 16, Mitchell 15 and senior Bree Simmons with 13.
 
The Lady Eagles finished with a 15-5 advantage in blocks. Goodwin had one solo block and assisted on seven others. White followed just behind with seven blocks (three solo, four assists). Mitchell added five.
 
ALABAMA STATE HIGHLIGHTS & STATS:
 
The comeback was spearheaded by a trio of attackers with Krysta Medearis pacing all players with 20 kills. Bayle Bennett and Kaitlynn Stoker followed with 18 and 16 kills, respectively. Bennett had a double-double with a match-high 19 digs.
 
Senior setter Kori Kutsch, who has been a well-decorated SWAC letter winner for the Hornets, started her final season in impressive form with 60 assists and 15 digs.
 
SET-BY-SET:
 
1ST: NCCU had its offense clicking early with a .188 hitting percentage in the first frame. ASU was able to avoid set point a couple times to level the score at 25-all, but two consecutive hitting errors gave the Lady Eagles the 27-25 win. Goodwin had four kills on five swings.
 
2ND: Trailing 13-12 at the midway point, NCCU scored the next five points to jump in front for good on the service rotation of freshman Celene Morris. An ace by Goodwin on set point clinched the five-point win for the maroon and gray.
 
3RD: The middle frame stayed close throughout with 12 ties. NCCU had a chance to close out the match at 26-25, but the Hornets stayed alive by winning the next three serves. Bennett finished off the set with a kill and an ace.
 
4TH: The Lady Eagles had three more chances at match point, but an ensuing ASU kill leveled the score each time. Bennett once again sealed a Hornets set win – this time with a solo block.
 
5TH: Alabama State kept the momentum in the shorted set, hitting .208 in the race to 15 points with eight kills. The Hornets doubled up NCCU, 14-7, before the Lady Eagles made an improbable comeback attempt with four straight points. However, Medearis' 20th kill finished off the rally in favor of ASU.