WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The rookie trio of
Tori Wilson,
Kamren Harper and
Emmie Modlin combined for more than half of North Carolina Central University's points in a 3-0 non-conference volleyball loss to host Wake Forest University on Friday night at the Wake Forest Invitational.
The Eagles threatened the Demon Deacons in the third set, but Wake Forest (1-0) held on to complete the sweep by set scores of 25-12, 25-5 and 25-20.
Wilson paced the maroon and gray with 6.5 points, including four kills and a team-high three blocks (two solo). Harper and Modlin both tallied five kills to share team-best honors while senior
Daryn Armstrong and junior
Abby Vacha followed with three kills apiece.
Sophomore setter
Vanila Pulu-Suliafu netted a double-double in her NCCU debut with team-high totals of 16 assists and 10 digs. Freshman defensive specialist
Neira Joldic accounted for the lone ace by the Eagles.
Wake Forest posted a .295 hitting percentage, served up nine aces and never trailed until the third set.
Modlin blasted all five of her kills in the tight third frame that featured 10 ties and five lead changes. A pair of kills by Wilson sandwiched around a kill by Modlin lifted NCCU to a 17-14 advantage. However, the Demon Deacons went on an 11-3 run from that point rally for the set triumph by five points.
Freshman Paige Crawford led the victors with a double-double, including a team-high 13 kills and 10 digs. Senior setter Andrea Fuentes setup the hot-hitting attack with 28 assists.
NC Central (0-1) will conclude play at the Wake Forest Invite with matches against Kennesaw State University (10 AM) and Western Carolina University (4:30 PM) on Saturday.
