BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University volleyball team got strong contributions throughout its lineup to force its fourth 5-set match of the early season, but host Campbell University never trailed in the fifth set to squeak out the 3-2 (17-25, 25-18, 25-15, 19-25, 15-11) non-conference victory on Tuesday evening inside Gore Arena.
 
The sophomore tandem of Kamren Harper and Emmie Modlin led NCCU's attack with 18 and 17 kills, respectively.
 
A quintet of juniors all filled up the box score for the maroon and gray. Libero Loren Johnson the visitors with 15 digs and three aces; setter Bella Dearinger recorded her first double-double at NCCU with season-best totals of 44 assists and 10 digs; middle blocker Kennedy Clark registered career-high marks of five kills and five blocks (three solo) for nine points; and setter/defensive specialist Vanila Pulu-Suliafu contributed a season-best 13 digs.
 
NCCU started the match on fire, ripping 15 kills on just 27 attempts with only three errors for a .444 hitting percentage in an eight-point set win.
 
Campbell's defense cooled the Eagles off in the second and third sets to rally ahead to a 2-1 set edge.
 
However, NCCU started clicking on attack again in the fourth set with 13 more kills to level the match and force a decisive fifth set. The Eagles were clinging to a 13-12 lead midway through the fourth set before going on a 12-7 run to win the stanza. Graduate student Isa Dostal blasted three of her eight kills in that winning frame on just four swings.
 
The Camels scored five consecutive points to take a quick 6-1 lead early in the fifth set. The Eagles pulled to within three late, but Campbell was able to stay in front in the shorter race to 15 points to seal the team triumph.
 
NCCU has gone the full five sets in four of its first five matches on the season. The Eagles are 1-0 at home in five-set matches, but are 0-3 away from Durham in the same length matches.
 
Campbell (2-5) won its second straight match after losing its first five matches. The lengthy showdown was the second 5-set battle the Camels and Eagles have played in the past two seasons.
 
A trio of Camels reached double-digit kills for the victors, including a team-best 16 kills off the arm of sophomore Abbie Tuyo. She also had four blocks (two solo) and one ace for a match-high 20 points.
 
NC Central (1-4) will next play two matches in the Volley for Unity hosted by Elon University. The Eagles will open up the tournament against Western Carolina University on Saturday at 4 p.m., and conclude play against the Phoenix on Sunday at 2 p.m.
 
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