DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University volleyball team used a balanced attack to defeat Morgan State University in five sets (25-18, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25, 18-16) in a home match Friday at McDougald-McLendon Arena.
NCCU (6-15, 4-6 MEAC) was led by a double-double from Emmie Modlin, who registered 16 kills and 13 digs on the day. Three more Eagles finished with double-digit kills for the offense including Kamren Harper with 20 kills.
Tayah Little and Kayden Cupid gave the Eagles some offense and defense as Little finished with 14 kills and six blocks and Cupid hit 10 kills and five blocks. Also on defense, Gabriela Felix-Baeza chipped in with 13 digs.
Bella Dearinger totaled 50 assists on the day, including a match-ending block assist with Little to secure the win.
How It Happened
The Eagles cruised to an early lead, methodically winning the first set 25-18. NC Central never trailed by more than five points and grabbed the advantage for good at 7-6 in a set that showcased two lead changes before the Eagles took control. NCCU had a solid defensive performance from its front row that blocked five Morgan State attacks in the stanza.
NCCU dropped the second set 25-22 to tie the match 1-1. The Eagles fell in a back-and-forth set, losing in a stanza featuring four lead changes and was tied 12 times. Neither team led by more than three points along the way.
NC Central then got back on the winning track, emerging victorious in set three and taking a 2-1 lead in the match for a 25-22 triumph. Five blocks from the Eagles helped clinch the set.
With the lead heading into the fourth set, the Maroon and Gray couldn't finish off a four-set win as the Bears forced a fifth set with a 25-21 victory. The Eagles trailed by as many as seven points as Morgan State grabbed the advantage for good at 3-2 and NC Central was never able to recover.
NCCU and Morgan State went back and forth all match, trading set wins until the Eagles took the fifth set 18-16 and the match. The Eagles persevered in the final set to emerge victorious in a stanza that featured three lead changes and was tied 10 times. Neither team led by more than three points in the set.
The Eagles have a quick turnaround hosting Coppin State University on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. in McDougald-McLendon Arena.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
