North Carolina Central University

VOLLEYBALL

     DURHAM, NC - The defending CIAA Champion North Carolina Central University volleyball team fell 3-2     (29-31, 31-29, 36-34, 28-30, 15-7) to Catawba College on Wednesday night. The loss inside of McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium was the second consecutive non-conference home loss for the Eagles and it snapped NCCU's 16-match winning streak against Division II opponents.
     NCCU (20-8, 9-0) was led by single-season kill leader Shari Matthews, who amassed 42 kills, 24 digs, four blocks and three service aces. Matthews' 42 kills are the most in a single match in NCCU history and Matthews now has 608 kills on the season. 
     After leading 32-31 in the third game, Eagles junior middle hitter Rachel Walters hit what was assumed to be the game-winning kill down the right sideline. The line judge ruled the shot in and as NCCU celebrated a third game win, the head official called for a replay. NCCU went on to lose the third game 36-34, win the fourth game 30-28, but lose the fifth 15-7.
     NCCU freshman outside hitter Naima Stennett accumulated 15 kills and freshman libero Rachel Lloyd had a match-high 25 digs.
     Catawba (10-8) was topped by sophomore Melissa Powers, who totaled 21 kills, 21 digs and seven blocks (four solo, three assists). Outside hitter Melissa Griffith added 20 kills, junior setter Andi Henderson recorded a team-high 46 assists, and junior libero Missy Bartholomew tallied a team-high 24 digs.
      NCCU volleyball will travel to Raleigh, N.C., on Oct. 8, to face Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association adversary Saint Augustine's in an important conference tilt. The match is set to begin at 3 p.m.