GREENSBORO – Bethune-Cookman remained undefeated in the MEAC's southern division with a three-set win (25-14, 10, 17) over the North Carolina A&T volleyball team Friday night at Moore Gymnasium. The loss ended N.C. A&T's four-match winning streak at home.
The upside for the Aggies (7-12, 5-4 MEAC) was the opportunity to honor the team's three seniors as a part of the Senior Night ceremonies before the match. Seniors Brooke Stamnes, Ashley Johnson and Aleena McDaniel were a part of the first recruiting class for five-year head coach Hal Clifton.
"Senior Night is always special, but tonight we had three young women to honor -- Aleena, Brooke and AJ -- who have helped the program rise to levels that haven't been seen in a long time," said Clifton. All three will enter the history books which is amazing."
Stamnes led the Aggie attackers with eight kills. Johnson finished with a team-high 17 digs and McDaniel ended the match with four kills and only one attack error on 14 attempts.
"They have represented A&T with so much heart and pride," Clifton added. "Just as important is that they have raised the bar and the expectations of what it means to be an Aggie volleyball player. We will miss them, but their future is so bright. It's been an honor to be a part of their lives.'
Bethune-Cookman's hitters proved to be tough to defend at the net on the special night. The Wildcats (12-15, 9-0 MEAC) also walled off many of the Aggies attack points as the Wildcats recorded nine team blocks. Maya Davis led the Wildcats with 11 kills, no attack errors and a .733 hitting percentage to go along with six block assists. Rhea Simon also had 11 kills.
N.C. A&T struggled to keep the ball inbounds over the first two sets, allowing the Wildcats to take a 2-0 lead. The Aggies fell behind 18-9 in the third set before starting to show some effectiveness against the Wildcats. The senior duo of Stamnes and McDaniel recorded back-to-back kills and a ball handling error by the Wildcats Hazel Ortiz-Rosado cut the Wildcats lead to 18-12. The Wildcats went extended their lead back to eight, 22-14, on a Stamnes error. Stamnes got the Aggies back to within six, 23-17, on a kill. But those would be N.C. A&T's last points as a service error and a Simon kill ended the match.
Junior Liz Martino added a double-double for the Aggies with 16 assists and 10 digs. Stamnes, Johnson and McDaniel will truly play their final match at Moore Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon at 3 when they host Florida A&M. The Rattlers will come in 6-3 in the conference after losing to N.C. Central on Friday. The Eagles are 4-5 in the MEAC, which makes for an interesting Sunday.
