WILMINGTON, N.C. – North Carolina Central won its first volleyball match in the Jonathan Paulk era.
The Eagles bounced back from two losses a day ago to beat UNC Wilmington on Saturday in the Seahawk Classic. The four-set victory (21-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-17) on UNCW's homecourt (Hanover Hall) was the first-ever over the Seahawks in five matches.
NCCU improved to 1-2 overall while UNCW dropped to 0-3.
Several players contributed to the victory.
Kamren Harper led the Eagles with 16 kills and added four blocks while
Leanna Beaty had 12 kills and two service aces.
Manuela Cripa Nasser amassed 43 assists and 12 digs.
Loren Johnson finished with 15 digs and three service aces and
Neira Joldic collected 13 digs and two service aces.
Allyson Rouse totaled five blocks and
Addie Reid tallied nine kills.
EAGLES CONTROLLED MATCH AFTER FIRST SET
After dropping the first set, the Eagles quickly regrouped in final three sets. UNCW led 3-0 in the second set but the Eagles moved ahead 10-8. Eight straight points capped by Beaty's kill off a Cripa Nasser assist padded NCCU's lead to 18-8 and the Eagles never trailed the remainder of the match.
NCCU started the third set with a 6-0 lead in cruising to a 2-1 match lead. In the fourth set, the Eagles scored four straight points to stretch a 9-6 lead to 13-6. The score was 24-14 before UNCW scored three consecutive points. NCCU clinched the victory on Beaty's kill off Cripa Nasser's assist.
QUOTE
"The team executed our adjustments going into the second, third and fourth sets very well," said Paulk, NCCU's first-year head coach. "There was great energy throughout the match!"
NOTES
- The Eagles never trailed after early in the second set.
- NCCU had a higher attack percentage - .235 to .114.
- NCCU finished with 57 kills to 37 for UNCW.
- Both Paulk and UNCW Head Coach Lo Hoyer were both NCCU volleyball assistants during their coaching careers though not at the same time.
- Leanna Beaty was named to the All-Tournament team.
UP NEXT
The Eagles host Gardner-Webb in their home opener on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at McDougald-McLendon Arena. The match begins at 6 p.m.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.