NORFOLK, Va. – Despite career performances from a trio of Spartans, Norfolk State dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker at home against North Carolina Central on Sunday.
 
After NSU won the first two sets 25-13, and 25-23, N.C. Central stormed back to take the final three 25-22, 25-23, and 20-18. The comeback prevented the Spartans from reaching a three-match win streak.
 
Carla Hernandez notched her second double-double of the season, posting a career high 22 kills with a season high 15 digs. Nicole Rodriguez tied her career-high with 29 digs, her most of the season, while freshman Sydney McCree totaled a career high of 48 assists.
 
All three performances earn recognitions in the program's record book. Rodriguez's performance tied her at fifth for single-match digs, Hernandez's day slots her tied for 11th in single-match kills, and McCree's afternoon tied her for 18th in single-match assists.
 
Paola Matos and Paola Maradei racked up seven blocks each, with the former tying her season-best of 15 kills. Matos also racked up seven digs and two service aces, while Shonte Seale added 13 kills and six digs.
 
The Spartans' strongest stretch came during the first set, outhitting the Eagles .462 to .185 in the opening game. A Matos kill sparked a 4-0 run to put NSU in the driver's seat, and the team remained nearly mistake-free throughout the set.
 
After taking a quick 1-0 lead in the match, the Spartans faced much more resistance the rest of the afternoon. The Eagles staunch defense helped them build a five-point advantage in the second set, before a 6-0 NSU burst swung the momentum back in the Spartans' favor. The squads traded points from there, but strong attacks by Matos and Hernandez helped the Spartans close out the tight game late.
 
NCCU led for most of the third set, but unlike the second, NSU couldn't produce an energy-shifting stretch to regain the lead. The Spartans pulled within one point on multiple occasions, but the Eagles remained steady to squeak out the set 25-23.
 
Myleah Carter recorded a kill from the back-line to get the Spartans' bench excited early in the fourth set, before Shachia Lamb and Hernandez posted back-to-back kills soon after for an 11-9 advantage.
 
The Eagles used two separate three-point bursts to regain control towards the end of the set. Seale and Hernandez put away McCree assists on back-to-back rallies to stave off two set points, but NCCU's Vanila Pulu-Suliafu sent the match to a fifth game on a well-placed attack.
 
Hernandez started the final game with two consecutive kills, but NCCU reeled off three straight points to take the lead. After NSU went ahead 6-4, the Eagles put together a 6-1 run that put the Spartans on their heels.
 
Norfolk State continued to fight, however, winning three thrilling rallies in a row later in the set to earn match point. Neither team would allow the match-clinching kill anytime soon, with both squads failing to convert on match point opportunities in the ensuing minutes. Finally, NCCU closed the battle with a final three-point run.
 
The Spartans (4-12, 4-2 MEAC) will look to bounce back on Friday at Maryland Eastern Shore. That match will start at 6 p.m., with the Spartans returning home two days later to face Delaware State.