DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 28, 2018) – North Carolina A&T and Bethune-Cookman's volleyball teams did what they needed to do at Moore Gymnasium. On Sunday, the B-CU Wildcats defeated the Aggies 3-0 (25-20, 20, 19) at B-CU's Moore Gymnasium.

Earlier in the season, the Aggies defeated the Wildcats at their Moore Gymnasium in Greensboro in a three-set sweep. The season split puts the Wildcats at 13-13 overall and 5-2 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Meanwhile, the Aggies dropped to 9-11 overall and 4-3 in the conference as they slipped into third place after back-to-back losses in Florida to Florida A&M and the Wildcats.

For the fourth straight match and for the 14thtime this season, sophomore Courteney Pitt reached double-figure kills as she posted 18 on Sunday. Freshman Andrea Laboy-Rivera had another solid match from the back row with 18 digs. Sophomore Edie Brewer recorded her 10thcareer double-double with 27 assists and 12 digs.

“Today was not our day,” Clifton said. “We played some excellent points but just could not get the ball to land in our favor. I love the way we competed, but we failed to execute.”

The Wildcats and the Aggies were engaged in a close first set before the Wildcats 5-1 run to take a 21-15 lead. B-CU grew that lead to seven as they reached set point thanks to an Aggies ball handling error that made the score 24-17. N.C. A&T fought off defeat with three straight points including a kill from Pitt. But the set ended on a block assist from B-CU's Tynesha Adams and Meraiah Hill.

Again in the second set, the Wildcats started to pull away mid-way through. An attack error by N.C. A&T freshman Macenzie Richards gave the Wildcats their biggest lead of the set at 21-16. Richards made amends with a kill which was followed by a B-CU attack error to get the Aggies to within three. B-CU took command again with two straight points before a Wildcats ball handling error followed by a service ace from senior Megan Wiggins cut the Wildcat lead to 23-20.

But two Aggie miscues, a service error and an attack error, gave B-CU a commanding two-set lead heading into the third.

“We passed poorly and therefore never found our rhythm,” said Clifton. “Courteney did an outstanding job but we have to find a way to stay in system. Our middles scored when we got them the ball but it wasn't nearly often enough.”

Junior middle Makaylah Elliot slammed an attack through the floor to get the Aggies to within four, 21-17, in the third set. The Wildcats, however, quickly reached set point by going on a 3-0 to take a 24-17 advantage. Pitt and junior Christa Wilson scored on consecutive kills to keep the match alive. A service error ended the Aggies hopes of extended the set and thereby the match as B-CU completed the sweep.

“The loss is hugely disappointing, but we will be in the gym tomorrow finding a way to get better,” said Clifton.

N.C. A&T volleyball will be the lead-in sporting event to Saturday's Greatest Homecoming on Earth football game as volleyball will host the S.C. State Bulldogs 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 2 at Moore Gymnasium on the campus of North Carolina A&T.