N.C. Central Volleyball
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By: NCCU Athletic Communications
DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central totaled a season-high 18 service aces and added 13 blocks but came up just short in a 3-2 (25-22, 22-25, 27-29, 25-19, 13-15) MEAC volleyball loss to Howard at McDougald-McLendon Arena on Friday.
Eagles Serve Up Season-High 18 Aces in Five-Set Loss to Howard 3-2! Next up is Norfolk State in MEAC Volleyball Action! pic.twitter.com/4J0SEuyYwp
— GSM Sports (@GSM_Sports13) November 9, 2026
The Eagles fell to 5-7 in the MEAC and 7-17 overall while Howard improved to 8-4 in the MEAC and 9-15 overall. The five-set battle was much closer than their previous meeting in October which Howard won 3-1 in Washington, D.C.
Talia Emmen led NCCU with five service aces while Shalyn Bell and Hailey Gibbons each added four. Allyson Rouse amassed seven blocks, Morgan Wingo collected six blocks and Kayla Riley had three for the Eagles, who held advantages in service aces (18-7) and team blocks (13-12).
Eagles serve up season-high 18 aces and 13 blocks in five-set loss to Howard. @MEACSports #EaglePride
Recap/Final Stats: https://t.co/X2UQoOEjGf pic.twitter.com/0RkqNASsmQ
— NCCU Athletics (@NCCUAthletics) November 7, 2026
NCCU relied on serving and blocking to keep pace with Howard in a match that featured 28 ties and 15 lead changes. The 13 blocks tied a season-high for the Eagles.
The deciding fifth set featured six ties and three lead changes. Howard rallied from a 5-1 deficit to take a 12-10 lead but NCCU scored twice to even the score. A 3-1 Bison run sealed the match.
Wingo and Bell both tallied 10 kills to lead a balanced Eagles attack. Aniah Bass and Riley each registered eight kills, Rouse chipped in six kills and Emmen had five. Breylan Fairley distributed 24 assists followed by Lusiana Damuni with 16.
Defensively, Bell collected 14 digs for her seventh double-double of the season. Gibbons added 12 digs and Emmen totaled 10 digs.
The match featured many momentum swings including a first-set rally by the Eagles. Trailing 18-9, NCCU reeled off eight consecutive points to close within 18-17 before winning the set 25-22. In the third set, NCCU held a 22-18 lead but Howard regrouped to win 29-27.
NCCU has played in seven five-set matches this season.
Sunday: Sweep of Norfolk State
North Carolina Central recorded a season high in attack percentage and served up 14 aces in a 3-0 (27-25, 25-12, 25-17) MEAC volleyball win over Norfolk State at McDougald-McLendon Arena on Sunday.
The Eagles improved to 6-7 in the MEAC and 8-17 overall while the Spartans fell to 6-7 and 10-6 overall. Both teams are tied for fifth in the conference with one week left in the regular season.
Eagles sweep Norfolk State in final MEAC home match of the season! @MEACSports #EaglePride
Final stats on https://t.co/eKQ9BzmqNb pic.twitter.com/vU0UQvjPj0
— NCCU Athletics (@NCCUAthletics) November 8, 2026
NCCU produced its season’s finest offensive performance against Norfolk State, hitting .391. Talia Emmen led the Eagles with 15 kills at .522 percent.
The Eagles also delivered double-digit service aces for the second straight game. Tabitha Newlin led the way with a career-high seven aces and Shalyn Bell added four aces. NCCU has totaled 32 aces in their last two matches.
Eagles Sweep Norfolk State Behind Hot Offense, Serving! The Eagles will host Elon on Thursday, Nov. 12, in their final home match of the season. First serve is at 6 p.m. inside McDougald-McLendon Arena. pic.twitter.com/lGri8VtPmA
— GSM Sports (@GSM_Sports13) November 9, 2026
NCCU relied on its offense and serving to sweep Norfolk State to snap a two-match losing streak in the series. Kayla Riley added nine kills and Bell chipped in seven kills while Morgan Wingo finished with six kills. Lusiana Damuni dished out 23 assists and Breylan Fairley added 13 assists.
After pulling out a 27-25 first-set win, the Eagles cruised to victory after hitting .419 in the second set and .394 in the third set.
Defensively, the Eagles held the Spartans to .139 hitting. Hailey Gibbons tallied 12 digs followed by Bell with eight digs and Emmen with seven digs. Aniah Bass amassed four blocks and Wingo added three blocks.
UP NEXT
The Eagles will host Elon on Thursday, Nov. 12, in their final home match of the season. First serve is at 6 p.m. inside McDougald-McLendon Arena.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
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