UNCW Rallies From Behind To Defeat NCCU In Five

DURHAM, N.C. - The University of North Carolina at Wilmington (7-13) used a powerful defense to halt the offensive attack of North Carolina Central University (6-20) Tuesday night as the Seahawks rallied from two sets down to defeat the Eagles, 3-2, in volleyball action at McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium in Durham, N.C.

NCCU showed confidence and promise as they pushed through to take a 2-0 advantage with just one set standing in the way of its victory. UNCW had another plan as they came out of the 10:00 break as a different team. The Eagles lost momentum and fell by scores of 25-23, 25-22, 11-25, 16-25 and 10-15, dropping to 6-20 on the year.

Belinda Behncke-Biney grabbed her fourth consecutive double-digit kill outing with a team-high 15 kills to lead the Eagles' offensive efforts. She also collected nine digs and dropped in four service aces. Setting up the feisty NCCU offense was freshman Jzima-Malaki Kalao with a match-high 43 assists.

Junior Alexis John put on an all-around performance for the Eagles in her return to the court after an injury left her sidelined for awhile. She hit .375 on the day with nine kills, while serving as the Eagles' defensive leader with 10 digs. She was accompanied by Maritsann Sinclair with nine kills and Raven King with 10 digs.

The Eagles, who are known for their consistency along the net, struggled to get their blocking game going as they notched just five blocks on the day, while the Seahawks dominated in that category with 13 blocks as they were led by Emily Mohrman with five assisted and a solo. Sashalee Wallen led NCCU with two assisted and a solo.

UNCW held NCCU to a .111 clip with 52 kills and 35 errors, while the Eagle defense struggled to keep the Seahawks off the board as UNCW hit .267 with 54 kills and just 18 errors. The Eagles were out-numbered in every category, except assists with the Eagles holding the 46-43 advantage.

The Seahawks put on a pretty well balanced performance on both sides of the net, but their main threat was Kelli Clear, who notched a double-double with 15 kills and a match-high 18 digs. She was one of two UNCW student-athletes to record double-figure kills as Christi Laite led the way with 19.

Pacing the Seahawk offense was junior setter Kelsey Bendig, who also contributed on defense, notching a double-double with 38 dishes and 11 digs. Accompanying Clear and Bendig on defense was Haley Collins with 10 digs, marking three UNCW student-athletes to record double-digit digs on the night.

Contributing to UNCW's strong blocking presence was Courtney Porter with five assisted blocks, followed by Bendig and Laite with four assisted blocks apiece. Samantha Seifert added two assisted and a solo. From behind the service line, the Seahawks managed to drop in nine aces with three coming from both Clear and Collins.

UNCW improved to 7-13 on the season, while NCCU dropped to 6-20. The Seahawks evened the all-time series between UNCW and NCCU at 5-5 with the Seahawks having claimed the last five out of six matches.

For the complete story, visit www.nccueagles.com

North Carolina A&T Can't Close Out GWU In 3-0 Loss 

GREENSBORO - North Carolina A&T had opportunities to win sets on Tuesday night, but could not close out Gardner-Webb.

Led by Molly Rhyne's 11 kills, Gardner-Webb defeated the Aggies 3-0 (25-20, 22, 17) at Corbett Sports Center. The Aggies were led by sophomore Andrea Evans' eight kills, five digs and three blocks. Senior Amber Inman added 26 assists and six digs.

The Aggies took an 18-16 lead in the first set. GWU battled back to tie the set at 18. A Tatiana Cooper kill gave the Aggies the lead back. But N.C. A&T couldn't sustain its momentum. The Bulldogs scored the next five points, including block assists by Ryhne and Tyler Cockrell.

Freshman Jeana Daniels stopped the run momentarily with a kill that moved the Aggies to within three at 23-20. A Rhyne kill and an Aggie attack error would end the set.

N.C. A&T didn't seem affected by its slow end in the first set. The Aggies jumped out to a 13-8 lead as Tatiana Cooper slammed down a crosscourt kill. They maintained the lead throughout the set as Elisha Boyer and Andrea Evans' block assists gave the Aggies a 19-15 lead.

But once again, the Bulldogs wouldn't go away. They went on a 5-0 run that included consecutive block assists by Carol Solano and Laura Wilcox. Boyer tied the match at 20 with another kill.

After the two teams traded kills, setter Evan Moffitt faked like she was going to set the ball before turning quickly and tapping the ball to the floor for a 22-21 GWU lead. Three Rhyne kills closed out the Aggies in the second.

After the Aggies took a 7-3 lead in the third, a 13-3 GWU run turned the set around and led to the GWU (5-16) victory.

For the complete story, visit www.ncataggies.com