Thrilling Five-Set Showdown: UNCW Triumphs Over North Carolina A&T

WILMINGTON, NC – The North Carolina A&T volleyball team faced a tough match against UNC Wilmington, falling in a nail-biting five-set battle: 25-17, 13-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-13. This loss marked a difficult weekend for the Aggies, as they were also defeated by the Seahawks on Friday.

Hannah Forbes led the way for UNCW, contributing 14 kills and 12 digs, helping the Seahawks improve to a 3-10 overall record and 2-2 in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA).

On a brighter note for A&T, junior Mikala Sampson made her return after missing six matches and delivered a solid performance with 14 kills. Sophomore Tyne Ross matched her with 14 kills, while also making an impact on defense with nine digs and two blocks. Freshman Zariah Winton closely followed with 13 kills.

Junior Leonor Polezzi had a standout game, recording 41 assists and 14 digs. This marked her fourth match of the season with over 40 assists and her fifth double-double overall. Despite these impressive stats, the Aggies struggled initially on Saturday.

In the first set, A&T hit a low minus-.071. However, they rebounded strongly in the second set, limiting UNCW to just four kills and a hitting percentage of minus-.156, equalizing the match at 1-1. A&T maintained their momentum in the third set, finishing with a 5-2 run for a 2-1 edge.

The fourth set felt crucial for A&T as they aimed for their first conference win. But the Seahawks rallied, going on an 8-1 run, putting the Aggies down 20-14. Following some back-and-forth, an attack error from A&T and a critical kill from UNCW’s Avery Markham pushed the game to a deciding fifth set.

“It was great to see how we regained our composure after the first set,” commented A&T head coach Hal Clifton. “We just couldn’t finish the fourth set.”

In the fifth and final set, the tension grew. UNCW took an early lead of 6-2, but A&T bounced back, tying it at 11-11 thanks to a kill from Polezzi. The Aggies never managed to pull ahead, and after a series of exchanges, Wilmington’s Lauren Young sealed the victory with a powerful kill and a service ace.

This loss drops the Aggies to a 4-7 overall record and 0-2 in conference play. Sophomore Anahi Alvardo was a key defensive player, leading A&T with 18 digs while adding seven assists.

“Even in the fifth set, we showed resilience,” Clifton said. “We just needed one more play.”

Looking ahead, the Aggies will return to Moore Gymnasium, hosting Hampton for their first home matches since August 30. This will be an exciting moment for the team as they aim to turn their season around in front of their home crowd.

As teams analyze their strategies and performances, it’s essential to notice how closely matches can turn on a single play. In sports, as in many areas, the right adjustments and a little bit of luck can make all the difference.

For those interested in volleyball statistics and performance analysis, the NCAA provides a wealth of data and insights on team rankings and player performances throughout the season.

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