Related: Volleyball Falls Twice In Season-Opening Tournament

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. –  A marathon morning match drained the UNC Pembroke volleyball squad Saturday at the Eckerd College Invitational, as the Braves succumbed to a pair of defeats at the hands of Kentucky State and New Haven. 

The Braves (0-4) see their losing streak jump to four to begin the season, while Kentucky State (1-3) earned their first win of 2016 and New Haven (2-2) improves to .500.

A 10-6 advantage in blocks and a two sets to one lead were not enough to defeat a relentless Kentucky State squad in the morning's first match. After the Thoroughbreds won a tightly contested first set 25-23, the Braves refused to roll over, securing sets two and three 25-23 and 27-25, respectively. UNCP battled off an opposing set point in the third stanza, winning the final three points after trailing 25-24 in a set that saw 10 ties and six lead changes. It was Kentucky State who then showed its resolve, battling back to steal sets four and five, the latter again by two points, 16-14 after the teams were knotted at 14 apiece. 

UNCP put two players in double-figure kills, paced by Makalyah Elliot with 11. Carolina Pridgen added 10 kills, two service aces and four digs, while Bailee Jones dished out a team-best 22 assists. Kiara Price and Madelyn Ashwell each tallied nine kills and Aquia Jones put down six as the Braves notched 50 total, a tournament high for the Black & Gold. 

Kentucky State held a .192-.138 advantage in hitting percentage and dug the ball 71 times to UNCP's 53. 

The Braves never could gain momentum against New Haven in the day's second match, surrendering to a 25-15, 25-20, 25-12 straight-set defeat. 

UNCP hit .146, led by Pridgen's .316 clip with seven kills on 19 attempts. Elliot added six kills, while Ashwell and Katelynn Leach each produced four. The offense ran through Alicia Paeplow, who racked up 21 assists. The senior tacked on one kill, one dig and two block assists.

Time off will be scarce to come by for the Black & Gold as they jump back into action Tuesday at the Wingate Tri-Match. UNCP will do battle with the hosts at 3:30 p.m. before a 5:30 p.m. meeting with Erskine. Links to follow the action live are available at uncpbraves.com.