DURHAM, N.C. – Despite the final scoreline, North Carolina Central University showcased their resilience and potential in a hard-fought match against N.C. A&T on August 31, 2024, at McDougald-McLendon Arena. The Eagles fell in three sets (21-25, 24-26, 22-25), but the close scores across all sets highlighted their competitive spirit and teamwork.

The Eagles were led by standout performances from Kamren Harper and Makenzi Searcy. Harper was a force at the net, finishing with a team-high attack percentage, making 13 kills with a .294 hitting percentage. Searcy also contributed significantly, delivering powerful spikes and crucial points during key moments, especially in the second set, where she nearly helped the Eagles clinch a win.

Set one saw NCCU start strong, with early kills from Searcy and Harper keeping the match tight. The Eagles' defense, anchored by libero Loren Johnson, who had an impressive 18 digs, kept them within striking distance throughout the set. Although N.C. A&T managed to pull ahead late, NCCU's ability to recover from a slow start was evident.

In the second set, the Eagles showed remarkable determination. After trailing, they fought back to tie the score multiple times, thanks to effective serving from Neira Joldic and sharp attacks from Emmie Modlin. The set was a nail-biter, with NCCU saving several points before conceding the set at 24-26.

The third set was another testament to the Eagles' tenacity. They battled through a series of back-and-forth points, with Summer Campbell and Kayden Cupid providing critical blocks and attacks that kept the team in contention. Even as the Aggies applied pressure, NCCU refused to back down, closing the gap to just a few points by the end.

Despite the loss, the Eagles' performance in this season opener showed they could be a formidable team. Head coach Jody Brown was optimistic about the season ahead, stating, "The way we played tonight, especially in those tight moments, shows our potential. We must keep building on this foundation, and I believe the wins will come."

NCCU will look to turn their strong play into victories as they continue their season, starting with their next set of matches on the road at the Elon Phoenix Classic next weekend. The Eagles have set a solid platform to build upon and will aim to capitalize on the lessons learned from this opening clash.

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