Sept. 26, 2008
PHOTO GALLERY
NCCU vs. SCSU Final Stats
DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University defeated South Carolina State University 3-1 (25-20, 22-25, 25-19, 25-18) to earn a day one split during the NCCU Women's Volleyball Invitational in Durham, N.C.
The host Eagles dropped their first match of the day to Houston Baptist University by a score of 3-0 (25-22, 26-24, 25-16).
In the nightcap against South Carolina State, NCCU freshman Avaniki Campbell amassed a match-high 15 kills, while sophomore transfer Belinda Behncke-Biney contributed nine kills, nine digs and four service aces. Senior setter Ashley Shade distributed 35 assists with nine digs and five kills, and junior defensive specialist Rachel Lloyd posted 10 digs and three service aces.
S.C. State (4-14) was topped by Jarne Gleaton with 12 kills, five digs, three service aces and two block assists, while Shabree Roberson added seven kills and three service aces. Defensive specialist Lauren Harris tallied a match-high 21 digs for the Lady Bulldogs.
In the first set, NCCU broke open a 14-14 tie to capture a 25-20 victory. SCSU evened the match by jumping out to a 19-13 advantage, which proved to be too much for the Eagles to overcome during a 25-22 set two setback. Sets three and four belonged to NCCU, as the Eagles cruised to 25-19 and 25-18 victories to earn their second win of the season (2-16).
"We came out determined (versus S.C. State)," said NCCU head coach Georgette Crawford-Crooks. "That was the difference between the earlier match today and tonight. Also, we did an excellent job of placing our serves tonight. We made them work.
"Belinda played really well for us, not only offensively, but serving too," Crawford-Crooks said. "And Ashley stepped up right when we needed her leadership."
In NCCU's first match of the day against Houston Baptist, the host Eagles and visiting Huskies engaged in a tightly contested battle in the first two sets, but they both went to HBU by scores of 25-22 and 26-24. The Eagles lost some of their steam after the tough set two loss, and the Huskies took advantage with a 25-16 set three win to earn the match.
HBU's balanced offensive attack was paced by Bryce Zimmerman with nine kills, while Megan Klimitchek and Jessica Barrera had eight kills each. Setter Natalie Magat recorded 31 assists and Courtney Whittleman added 10 digs for the Huskies.
NCCU was led by Behncke-Biney with six kills, four digs, three service aces and a block solo. Junior Nadia Hayes and sophomore Shaina Pryor contributed five kills each, while Lloyd collected 14 digs for the Eagles.
"We have been improving tremendously and we are going to keep moving forward," Crawford-Crooks said.
Other day one results: Hampton edged Alabama State, 3-2; South Carolina State defeated Alabama State, 3-1; and Houston Baptist beat Hampton, 3-0.
Day two of the NCCU Invitational starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday inside McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium with Alabama State against Houston Baptist. The 12 noon match features Hampton versus South Carolina State, followed by NCCU against Alabama State at 2 p.m. S.C. State plays Houston Baptist at 4 p.m., and the invitational concludes with NCCU against Hampton at 6 p.m.
