Box Score

SALISBURY, NC – An exciting CIAA volleyball contest didn't go the way of the Blue Bears Tuesday evening as St. Augustine's defeated Livingstone 3-1 inside New Trent Gynmasium.

Livingstone struggled in the first two sets.  After leading 6-5 early in the opening set, the Blue Bears dropped five-straight points to go down 10-5.  The Blue Bears got back within one at 11-10, but then managed only two more points before dropping the first set 25-12.

The second set again saw the Blue Bears have a strong opening, only to fall apart in the end.  Livingstone led at 15-13, but 10-straight points by the Falcons gave St. Augustine's a commanding 23-15 lead, taking the second set 25-18.

The Blue Bears had a very strong third set.  Livingstone took an early 8-5 and continued to lead at 15-12 before the Falcons made a strong run.  St. Augustine's took seven-straight points to grab a 19-15 lead.  The Falcons continued to lead at 22-18 and looked primed to end the match in three sets, but the Blue Bears came storming back.  Livingstone took the last seven points of the third set to win 25-22 to force a fourth set.

Early in the fourth set, the Blue Bears looked primed to send the match to a fifth and decisive set.  Livingstone jumped out to an 11-7 lead and continued to lead at 14-11.  With the Blue Bears leading 15-13, the Falcons rattled off seven-straight points to take a 20-15 lead, one that the Blue Bears couldn't overcome as St. Augustine's took the fourth set 25-22 and the match 3-1.

Phylicia Egbuna and Lakitta Hicks both finished with 12 kills Tuesday night to lead the Blue Bears while Iman Isom totaled 12 digs and LaPria Saunders finished with 17 assists.  Hicks also recorded seven block assists.

As a team the Blue Bears finished with 35 kills, 24 assists, 13 service aces, 36 digs and 14.5 total team blocks.

The Blue Bears will return to the court on Thursday when they travel to Fayetteville, NC to take on the Broncos of Fayetteville State University in a 6 p.m. contest.