Yagmur Cinel’s career-high 19 kills propelled the Hofstra University volleyball team over the North Carolina A&T State University Aggies 3-1 on Saturday, Oct. 7. The Pride now stands at a 14-4 overall record and 4-3 in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) matchups. North Carolina A&T continues to struggle in their season. They fall to 4-11 and have lost three straight games.
Clara Bal flourished with 13 kills and Beatriz Alves added 42 assists.
Although the Pride got rolling in a close first-set win, Hofstra stumbled in the second. Hofstra opened the set, dialing three kills from Cinel with help from Alves to make the score 4-1. However, the Pride’s offense could not finish on multiple efforts, resulting in multiple attack errors and letting the Aggies tie the set at four.
Hofstra’s defense could not contain the Aggies’ Kaili Doctor with her 16 kills, six of which came in the second set alone. Cinel put the team on her back with a kill, putting both squads at nine points. Miscues put Hofstra in a hole, letting the Aggies surpass them in the set. A few attack errors on the Aggies’ offense gave Hofstra the break they needed, putting the score in their favor 22-20. Samaya Wesson and Doctor rallied late, stunning the Pride and closing the set 26-24.
Hofstra bounced back with a tight third set. Hofstra capitalized on their opportunity as seen in their 10-8 lead from Aggies’ service aces and attack errors. Hofstra continued to flow while the Aggies trailed close behind. Late in the match, Sarah Pierre and Alves extended the lead with two kills, 20-17. Hofstra then overpowered the Aggies with two electric kills from Iyanna Garvin and Bal, closing the set 25-22.
Bal owned the fourth set as she rained six kills over the net. Hofstra stayed in the same mindset, playing one step ahead of the Aggies. Doctor changed things up when she gave the Aggies a 21-20 lead for the third straight point. Pierre responded with two kills before Cinel fiercely sealed the game with her 19th kill.
The Pride returns to the court on Sunday, Oct. 7, to complete the series in North Carolina.
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Lee S.Weissman
