Sept. 27, 2008

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DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University swept Alabama State University and Hampton University during day two action of the NCCU Women's Volleyball Invitational to earn second place honors in McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium in Durham, N.C.

Three Eagles earned All-Tournament Team recognition - sophomore outside hitter Belinda Behncke-Biney, junior outside hitter Avaniki Campbell and junior defensive specialist Rachel Lloyd, as NCCU improved its win streak to three matches.

In the first match of the day for NCCU, the host Eagles posted a convincing victory over Alabama State, 3-0 (25-12, 25-2, 25-21).

In the opening set, NCCU jumped out to an 8-1 lead and cruised to a 25-12 win.

In the second set, the Eagles scored the first 16 points when Behncke-Biney recorded a kill and then served 15 consecutive times, including five service aces. The margin grew to 22-1 before NCCU ended the set at 25-2.

In the third set, Alabama State led 3-0 and 12-7 before the Eagles posted a 9-1 run to go ahead 16-13. NCCU held off the Lady Hornets for a 25-21 win.

NCCU sophomore Shaina Pryor amassed a match-high 11 kills on 18 attempts, while adding two blocks to lead the Eagles. Behncke-Biney finished with a match-high 14 points with six kills, eight service aces and seven digs. NCCU rookie Kiara Brown came off the bench for 13 assists, while juniors Ashley Griffin and Nadia Hayes added three blocks each.

Alabama State (9-11) was topped by Anna Meinert with five kills, 13 assists and three digs.

In the nightcap against Hampton, NCCU tied the score at 2-2 with a kill by Behncke-Biney, who then served seven straight points, including three consecutive service aces, to give the Eagles a 9-2 cushion. That was enough for NCCU to hold off the Lady Pirates to win set one 25-21.

In the second set, Hampton scored the first five points and did not relinquish the lead until an error put the Eagles on top 25-24. Another Lady Pirate hitting error gave NCCU a 26-24 set two win.

Hampton could not recover from the heart-breaking set two defeat, as NCCU cruised to victory in the third set, 25-14.

NCCU (4-16) enjoyed a balanced offensive attack against the Lady Pirates, topped by Behncke-Biney's 10 kills, five service aces and nine digs. Campbell and Hayes added nine kills apiece, while senior setter Ashley Shade collected 29 assists and Lloyd recorded a match-high 10 digs.

Hampton (2-19) was paced by All-Tournament Team selection Aaryn Harrison with 13 kills, while setter Lihi Elkayam distributed 30 assists.

"We are now playing as a team," said NCCU head coach Georgette Crawford-Crooks. "They are learning each other and putting it all together."

NCCU posted a 3-1 record during the weekend event to place second. Houston Baptist went 4-0 to claim the NCCU Invitational title. The Huskies were led by All-Tournament Team member Megan Klimitchek and Tournament Most Valuable Player Natalie Magat.

In four matches for NCCU, Behncke-Biney amassed 31 kills, 29 digs and 20 service aces; Campbell collected 34 kills and four blocks; Pryor recorded 24 kills and six blocks; Hayes tallied 23 kills and nine blocks; Shade posted 75 assists and 16 digs; and Lloyd totaled 41 digs.

"One of my goals in recruiting was to develop balance offensively," Crawford-Crooks said. "Our opposition does not know who to stop because everyone is a weapon. Plus, our setters are doing a good job of distributing the ball."

Crawford-Crooks also had high praise for defensive specialist Lloyd. "Rachel has been steady since day one," said Crawford-Crooks about her floor captain. "She holds our defense together. She is very competitive and will do whatever she can to win."

NCCU returns to the court Sunday (Sept. 28) to host Maryland Eastern Shore at 11 a.m. inside McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium.