BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Playing without its top two hitters, North Carolina Central competed against Gardner-Webb before falling 3-1 (18-25, 18-25, 25-22, 13-25) in a non-conference volleyball rematch at Paul Porter Arena on Tuesday.
The Eagles entered the match without
Talia Emmen and
Shalyn Bell, who rank among the MEAC's top five players in kills per set.
Aniah Bass stepped up offensively for the Eagles, posting career highs of 11 kills, 11 digs and three service aces while hitting .333 percent.
Kayla Riley matched Bass with 11 kills and added eight digs while
Breylan Fairley contributed 19 assists, six digs and two service aces.
Bass was among several Eagles who established career highs. Tabitha Newman registered a career-high seven kills to go along with seven digs and three service aces for the Eagles, who tallied 10 aces as a team.
Hailey Gibbons posted a career-high 21 digs and
Peyton Jenkins tallied a career-high three blocks.
The Eagles trailed 2-0 but regrouped behind Riley and Bass. Riley totaled five kills and Bass added four kills and three service aces to lead the Eagles to a 25-22 third-set win and force a fourth set. Gardner-Webb closed out the match in the fourth for its second victory over the Eagles this season.
UP NEXT
The Eagles return to MEAC play this weekend with home matches against Delaware State on Friday and Maryland Eastern Shore on Sunday. First serve is at 6 p.m. for both matches.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
