GREENVILLE, N.C. — Freshman Estfania Louis tallied a season-high eight kills for visiting North Carolina Central University in a 3-1 non-conference loss at East Carolina University Tuesday afternoon in Minges Coliseum.
 
The Pirates completed the home-and-away season series sweep of the Lady Eagles with the 25-18, 25-27, 25-16, 25-21 triumph. ECU improved to 8-4 while NCCU slipped to 2-9.
 
NCCU begins Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Southern Division play this weekend when they will be hosting Bethune-Cookman University on Friday at 6 p.m. and entertaining Florida A&M University on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
NCCU HIGHLIGHTS & STATS:
 
Reigning MEAC Rookie of the Week Arlanda Faulkner paced the Lady Eagles with a dozen kills. She has reached double-digit kills in three straight matches. Faulkner just missed her first double-double with nine digs. She also accounted for three of NCCU's seven aces.
 
Louis hit .222 on her way to her eight kills. Senior Whitney White and sophomore Christine Alcox both chipped in six kills.
 
Freshman setter Celene Morris totaled 32 assists and seven digs. The Lady Eagles produced 63 digs, including 16 by senior Erika Ianovale and 14 by classmate Bree Simmons.
 
EAST CAROLINA HIGHLIGHTS & STATS:
 
Junior middle blocker Toya Osuegbu led all players with 17 kills. She had a sizzling .387 hitting percentage while adding a team-best three block assists. Sophomore Bri Wood provided additional support with 12 spikes.
 
Sophomore setter Shelby Martin logged a double-double with 40 assists and 14 digs. The Pirates made 66 digs, including a match-high 18 by junior libero Maggie Hallow.
 
SET-BY-SET:
 
1ST: An ace by Faulkner had NCCU within one, 14-13, past the midway point of the set before ECU closed the opener on an 11-5 run. The Pirates hit a match-best .367 in the first to win by seven.
 
2ND: The second stanza was the closest of the match with 14 ties. NCCU had three chances at set point to tie the score and an ECU hitting error finally provided the Lady Eagles with the two-point win. Alcox used a kill to give the maroon and gray the go-ahead point at 26-25. Faulkner had a big period with five kills.
 
3RD: The Pirates scored the first three points and led wire-to-wire to regain the lead. Osuegbu led ECU's charge with six kills as the hosts won their most lopsided set.
 
4TH: NCCU once again tried to level the score and the Lady Eagles held a 15-12 lead. However, ECU used an ensuing 8-1 run to leapfrog ahead for good. Martin had four kills in the game to finish with nine spikes, one shy of a triple-double.