Lady Eagles Threaten Before Falling to ECU

DURHAM, N.C. – Sophomore setter Paige Phillips just missed a double-double and the North Carolina Central University volleyball team held multiple point leads in all three sets, but visiting East Carolina University rallied each time to sweep the non-conference match, 3-0, to spoil the Lady Eagles home opener at the L.T. Walker Complex Tuesday night.

Phillips totaled 26 assists and nine digs in just missing her third career double-double by one dig.

Junior outside hitter Kelsey Murphy led NCCU’s attack with 15 kills. A trio of Lady Eagles in senior Kelly Rossip, freshman Whitney White and freshman Sydney Sumner followed Murphy with six kills apiece.

Sumner lifted up a team-best 13 digs, which was a season-high mark. White participated in two of NCCU’s three blocks on the evening. Four different Lady Eagles accounted for the squads four aces. Freshman Tamika Brekke chipped in nine digs.

NCCU (0-4) remained winless on the season.

The Pirates hit .298, served up nine aces and made eight team blocks to comeback in each set and stay undefeated on the season.

Team leaders for ECU (2-0) sophomore Natalie Montini with 11 kills, junior Sabrina Gonzalez providing 31 assists, sophomore Alex Jessett serving up four aces, junior Ashley McRae tallying four block assists and senior Erika Figueroa making 21 digs.

NCCU will play three matches in the Phoenix Classic hosted by Elon University over the weekend. The Lady Eagles will begin play against Wake Forest University on Friday at 4:30 p.m. NCCU will play two more matches on Saturday including host Elon at 12:30 p.m. and Charleston Southern University at 4:30 p.m.

For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com

Savannah State Falls to Charleston Southern

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Savannah State University volleyball team fell to Charleston Southern 3-0 (25-9, 25-22, 25-7) on Tuesday at the Buc Dome.

Junior setter Caitlynn Masoe and junior middle blocker Gabrielle Nathaniel led the Lady Tigers (0-5) with six kills each, while freshman setter Briana Littlejohn led the team with 10 assists and junior libero Alexis Washington with 11 digs.  Masoe also added seven assists, five digs and a service ace

The Bucs were led by Katrina Houston with nine kills and had a .600 hitting percentage, Cassidy Greer with 14 assists and Ashley Higginbothem with 17 digs.

The Lady Tigers are back in action on the road this weekend at the Blazer Classic in Birmingham, Ala.  SSU faces Austin Peay on Friday at 5 p.m., followed by a doubleheader on Saturday with the host UAB at 10 a.m. and Florida International at 3 p.m.

For complete story, visit www.ssuathletics.com