NC State 3, Morgan State 0
RALEIGH, N.C. (Aug. 28, 2009)-The Morgan State volleyball team opened up the 2009 season with a tough 3-0 (24-26, 17-25, 21-25) loss to host North Carolina State in opening day action of the NC State Hilton RTP Classic at Reynolds Colisem.
Morgan State, which finished with a team hitting percentage of .149 was led by Rhyan Shy, Ivanti Bush and Erin Cox, who all tied for a team and match-high eight kills. Christa Rogers finished with 25 assists, while Cheryl Savoy led the squad with eight digs.
The Lady Bears (0-1), who last season were also dealt a 3-0 loss by the Wolfpack, but in a lesser competitive match at the East Carolina Invitational, gave the hosts all they could handle, especially in the opening set. Morgan State, which didn't trail by more than three points the entire first set, overcame a 19-16 deficit with four straight points to take a 20-19 advantage. The hosts would hold a 24-22 lead, but the Lady Bears bounced back with back-to-back kills from Shy and Bush to tie the score. However, NC State would score the next two points for the win.
Game 2 was all NC State, as it jumped out to a 21-10 lead and cruised to a 25-17 victory. The Wolfpack would record 14 kills in the set to Morgan's six and finished with a .276 hitting percentage, while holding the guests to an .000 percentage.
The Lady Bears got back on track in the third and final frame, as they took a quick 4-0 lead and led 6-3 before the Wolfpack rattled off five straight points to reclaim the lead at 8-6. Morgan State fell behind 20-15, before pulling within two points at 20-18 but would get no closer, as the hosts held on for the 25-21 victory.
NC State (1-0) was led by sarah Griggs and Isis Gardner, who both had eight kills. Alex Smith finished with a match-high 34 assists and Lindsay Benac added 13 digs.
Led by Kierra Riley's combined five blocks (one solo) and Rogers' three assisted blocks, Morgan State held a 6-3 blocking advantage over the Wolfpack.
Morgan State returns to action this evening when it takes on Campbell at 5 p.m.
