GREENSBORO — North Carolina A&T volleyball celebrated a solid weekend, sweeping Hampton 3-0 on Saturday after winning their first conference match on Friday. The scores were 25-20, 25-20, and 25-19 at Moore Gymnasium.
The Aggies showcased strong offense, hitting a combined .304 over the weekend. Their performance on Saturday had them at .297, evening their CAA record to 2-2 and improving their overall record to 6-7.
Sophomore Tyne Ross stood out, leading the team with 16 kills and a hitting percentage of .353. In contrast, Hampton struggled, dropping to 1-15 overall and 0-6 in the conference.
“I thought we played steady today,” said head coach Hal Clifton. “We adapted to a few lineup changes and saw players step up in tough moments.”
The match was more competitive than Friday’s, when A&T had an easy win in the first set, 25-9. Saturday saw Hampton take an early 9-5 lead in the first set, but A&T quickly rallied. Two kills from Ross and another from junior Valeria Estrada helped narrow the gap. The Aggies took the lead with a strong 7-1 run, cemented by kills from Mikala Sampson and Ross.
In the second set, Hampton again started strong. However, A&T soon responded with an 8-2 run, featuring crucial plays from Sampson. They extended their lead, closing out the set 25-20 after Ross secured the final points.
The third set began with Hampton leading briefly, but A&T quickly regained control. Ross and sophomore Anahi Alvarado contributed to an early 4-0 spurt. A&T maintained their advantage throughout the set, and Ross sealed the match with a decisive kill.
Sampson finished the match with 11 kills, while junior Leonor Polezzi provided 38 assists and three aces. Senior Jada Hampton added six kills.
“It was a solid win, but we all see areas we can improve before our next games,” noted Clifton.
Interestingly, the Aggies’ performance mirrors recent trends in collegiate volleyball. According to a survey conducted by the NCAA, hitting efficiency has been a key indicator of success this season. Teams maintaining a hitting percentage above .250 significantly boost their chances of winning matches. A&T’s current form puts them well above that threshold.
As the Aggies head to the College of Charleston for their next series, excitement grows for their continued development and potential in the CAA.
