NORFOLK, Va. – North Carolina Central made a late push but lost to Norfolk State 3-2 (25-12, 23-25, 21-25, 25-17, 13-15) in a MEAC volleyball match at Gill Gymnasium on Sunday.

Kamren Harper recorded 25 kills which tied her career high and added nine digs for the Eagles, who dropped their second consecutive match. Makenzi Searcy and Allyson Rouse both totaled 12 kills and Rouse added one solo block and three block assists.

Norfolk State led 10-6 and 12-9 in the fifth set but the Eagles rallied to tie the score at 12-12. Deadlocked at 13-13, the Spartans scored the last two points for the win.

Manuela Cripa Nasser dished out 52 digs - two off her career high - while adding nine digs and four service aces for NCCU. Lauren Johnson led the Eagles defensively with 22 digs and Gabriela Felix-Baeza added 11 digs and three service aces.

The match was tougher than the first meeting - a 3-0 Eagles' sweep at home on Oct. 12. At first, it appeared the Eagles would cruise in the rematch after winning 25-12 in the first set but the script changed in the second set.

Norfolk State slipped past the Eagles 25-23 in the second set followed by a 25-21 third-set win. Down 2-1, the Eagles re-asserted themselves in the fourth set, winning 25-17 to send the match to five sets.

The Eagles posted more points (83-68), kills (65-48), assists (61-45) and digs (69-63) than Norfolk State. NCCU's attack percentage was higher (.293 to .152) but the Eagles committed 12 service errors.

The loss snapped a three-match win streak against Norfolk State.

RECORDS
NCCU – 6-7 MEAC and 9-17 overall
Norfolk State – 3-10 MEAC and 5-22 overall

NEXT UP
The Eagles return home for the regular-season finale against South Carolina State on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.