DURHAM, N.C. - The Charleston Southern volleyball team concluded the RTP/Hilton NCCU Tournament with a 3-0 (25-13, 26-24, 25-23) loss at the hand of UTEP Saturday, Aug. 28. The Miners used a strong net presence to improve to 4-1 on the season, while the Lady Bucs finished the weekend at 1-3.

The Lady Bucs fought to the finish, extending set two to an extra deciding point and dropping the third set by just two points.

CSU gained an early 7-5 advantage in set one, with Amanda Hill, Amberle Trinder and Kayla Klinger contributing kills and UTEP committing two attack errors. The Miners then rattled off four straight points for a 9-7 lead. Hill brought the Lady Bucs to within one at 10-9, but UTEP pulled away for a 25-13 set one win.

After getting out-hit, .444 to .083, in set one, the Lady Bucs came out swinging in the second set, with seven early kills to take a 12-11 lead. The lead changed hands twice more before a three-point rally gave CSU an 18-16 advantage. Following five rally points, the Miners took the lead at 22-21 on a kill by Bridget Logan. Klinger and Nokes posted kills on the next two side outs, making it 23-23. CSU fought off one set point, but UTEP received two kills to end the set, 26-24.

The Buccaneers claimed a 6-2 lead in set three, as Klinger, Hill, Amy Nokes, and Emily Libertowski notched one kill apiece. UTEP sliced the margin to one at 14-13 before CSU scored five out of the next six points for a 19-14 lead. The Miners answered with a four-point rally, prompting a CSU timeout. The Lady Bucs scored the ensuing two points and led 21-18 before UTEP tied the set at 21-21 with a rally. CSU briefly edged ahead at 22-21, but UTEP clinched the match with a 25-23 set three victory.

Hill and Klinger tied for the team lead with nine kills apiece, while Hill led with 12 digs. Tricia Rodl posted 10 digs, for her 50th career double-digit dig outing. Nokes paced CSU with 27 assists, and Trinder hit .429 with seven kills.

For UTEP, Melissa Toth registered 16 kills, hitting .351 while leading the Miners to a .349 overall percentage. UTEP also posted 7.5 total blocks.

Hill and Nokes represented CSU by being named to the All-Tournament Team for their efforts this weekend.

CSU and UTEP met for the second time in as many seasons, as the Miners defeated the Buccaneers at the Arizona State Tournament Sept. 5, 2009.

The Lady Bucs return to the Buc Dome Tuesday, Aug. 31, opening the home portion of the schedule with a 6 p.m. match against city rival The Citadel. The Bulldogs bring an 0-3 record into Tuesday's match, having competed in a tough opening tournament at SIU-Edwardsville.

CSU vs. UTEP Box Score

Lady Bucs Fall to Delaware State, 3-1

Charleston Southern fell 3-1 (18-25, 27-25, 26-24, 25-20) to Delaware State Saturday, Aug. 28 at the RTP/Hilton NCCU Tournament. The Lady Bucs (1-2) claimed the first set and held leads deep into each of the remaining three sets. However, DSU (2-1) rallied to win the final three sets and earn the match victory.

Redshirt junior setter Amy Nokes recorded a career-high 54 assists, helping a CSU arsenal that collected 62 kills with a .343 attack percentage. Nokes added 11 digs for her second double-double in three matches. Amanda Hill powered her way to 23 kills and 18 digs for her 48th career double-double.

Cori Holeman recorded 12 kills, while Emily Libertowski led CSU with a career-best 28 digs. Freshmen Kayla Klinger and Andrea Keese each notched seven kills, with Klinger adding 10 digs.

The Lady Bucs hit .400 with 15 kills in the first set, earning the first four points. Following a brief rally by DSU, the Bucs received four kills from Keesee as part of a 5-2 run which gave CSU an 11-7 edge. With the score at 16-12, the Lady Bucs staged a four-point rally courtesy of kills from Hill and Holeman. Hill put an end to set one with a kill for a 25-18 win.

Set two saw each team go on early rallies, resulting in an early 11-11 score. Hill recorded two kills in a three-point rally for a 14-11 lead. The teams traded momentum until a 3-0 run by DSU gave the Hornets a 20-19 edge. Kills by Hill and Amberle Trinder put CSU ahead, 23-22, but DSU won the next two points to for a set point opportunity. Ashley Johnston recorded kills twice to stave off set point, but the Hornets scored the final two points for a 27-25 win.

CSU built an early 9-3 lead in the third set, with Nokes, Klinger and Holeman posting kills and Klinger adding a service ace. The Hornets trimmed the margin to four at 10-6 before the Lady Bucs went on a 5-2 skein for a 15-8 lead. Hill recorded three kills during a run which gave CSU the lead at 18-11. The Lady Bucs earned four set point chances by taking a 24-20 lead with kills from Trinder, Keesee, Hill and Klinger. However, DSU scored the final six points of the set to steal set three, 26-24.

The Hornets stormed out to an early 4-1 lead in the fourth set. CSU responded with a 7-2 rally for an 8-6 advantage. Hill and Klinger fueled the Lady Bucs' hitting offense, aiding the team to an 18-15 advantage. DSU rebounded and took the lead at 21-18 by mounting a six-point rally, and held off CSU for a 25-20 victory, winning the match, 3-1.

DSU placed three players in double-figures in kills, with Sarah Wheatcroft (15 kills, 16 digs) and Jessica Crocher (13, 10) collecting double-doubles.

The Lady Bucs conclude their matches at the NCCU Tournament at 5 p.m. Saturday, facing UTEP. The Miners went 2-1 Friday, sweeping Delaware State and NC Central and losing to Elon.

CSU vs. DSU Box Score