Match Two: Tulsa, 3; Campbell, 0

CHARLESTON, S.C.-After beginning the 2007 volleyball season 4-1, Campbell University falls twice today in Charleston Southern Invitational play on Friday, Aug. 31.

After a 3-1 loss to North Carolina Central earlier today, CU dropped another match to Tulsa at the CSU Fieldhouse in three games.

With the loss, Campbell drops to 4-3, while Tulsa improves its mark to 4-2 on the year.

Errors hurt the Camels for the second time in the day, racking up 27 in three games, eight, ten and nine respectfully. Tulsa on the other hand, committed just 12, offering only one mistake in game two.

Junior middle blocker Femi Alabi led the way for the Fighting Camels, posting ten kills in the match on 21 attempts (.381) and one block solo. Freshman Emily Werner also notched ten kills in the match, while outside hitter Taylor Deering offered eight kills and nine digs. Sophomore libero Melissa Harvey grabbed 13 digs in the contest, recording double-figure digs for the second time in the day.

For the Golden Hurricanes, Hannah Stout, Julia Silva and Emma Ridley made up the majority of their team's offense, pounding 25 of UT's 39 kills. Nicole Boyle and Malorey Grove were the lone Hurricanes in double-digits, respectively getting 12 and ten digs.

In the first game, Campbell had little to offer against the UT attack, offering only 17 points, as the Golden Hurricanes took the set, 30-17. In game two, Tulsa's steady attack proved to be too much once again, limiting the Camels to just 18 points in the second portion.

The Camels would fight back, however, in the third game, taking the first point on a Caroline Hammersley ace, and leading the Golden Hurricanes by as much as eight. Still, the UT offense took five straight points, cutting the lead to just three. As play steadied, the teams found themselves knotted at 29, before two straight sealed the win for the Golden Hurricanes, 31-29.

Play resumes for the Fighting Camels tomorrow, Sept. 1, as the team will take on Atlantic Sun conference rival Stetson at 11 a.m., before a 3 p.m. matchup with tourney host Charleston Southern.

Match One: NCCU, 3; Campbell, 1

Double-Doubles Can't Save Camels from NCCU

CHARLESTON, S.C.-Despite double-doubles from freshmen standouts Taylor Deering and Emily Werner, Campbell volleyball falls to North Carolina Central, 3-1, in Charleston Southern Invitational action.

Deering, a native of Austin, Texas, fired 45 attempts on the day, connecting with 17, and also totaling 17 digs, both highs of her short Campbell career. An outside hitter, Werner can also notched another double-digit outing. The freshman knocked in 16 kills and gathered 14 digs on the afternoon.

The Fighting Camel defense put up good numbers, totaling 72 digs with four players in double-figures, and seven team blocks in the four frame match, however, 33 attack errors proved to be the downfall of the squad.

N.C. Central saw two players of their own racking up double-doubles, with Shari Matthews (19 kills, 15 digs) and Anielle Dasilva (13 kills, 19 digs) leading the way.

With the loss, CU falls to 4-2 on the year, while the Eagles pick up the win, also moving to 4-2.

The Camels found themselves down early as they began play, dropping the first game in a 30-24 decision. The offense for both teams struggled to find a rhythm, averaging just .058 between themselves in the first set.

11 Campbell errors in game two set the Camels back even more, as NCCU also took game two, 30-22.

The Fighting Camels, in fact, did not taste a lead in the entire match until an attack error by Central's Anielle Dasilva gave CU an 11-10 advantage in the third game. Campbell did go on to win that set, as a Werner kill clinched the game, 30-28.

In the fourth, however, the Camels finally fell, 30-20, giving NCCU their third win of the match and handing them the game.

The Fighting Camels will take the floor once again at 5 p.m., taking on 2006 Conference USA champ Tulsa.