Match Statistics

NORFOLK, Va. – North Carolina Central University junior Sashalee Wallen put forth another great performance for the Eagles Sunday, Oct. 24 in Norfolk, Va. to lead the maroon and grey past Norfolk State 3-2 (22-25, 13-25, 25-23, 25-23, 15-7) in Joseph Echols Hall.

The Eagles took the five-set match after trailing 0-2. After a troubling 25-13 second set, NCCU head coach Georgette Crawford-Crooks revived the team, holding the Spartans to 23 points in the third and fourth sets. During the fifth set of play, the Eagles earned nine kills on 19 attempts without a single error. 

Wallen’s 10 kills on 28 attempts gave her a second consecutive fierce performance and strengthened the Eagles hitting percentage to .474 during the fifth set of play. The 6-0 middle hitter also contributed nine blocks, five digs and one service ace to the win.

NCCU’s Belinda Behncke-Biney continued to pace the offense with 16 kills on 44 attempts on the night. The consistently strong senior dug up 15 Spartan attacks and forced two Norfolk State reception errors.

Freshman setter Jzima-Malaki Kalao distributed 37 assists to lead the Eagles to victory. Kalao also supplied six digs on defense.

On serve receive, junior Raven King passed 38 serves with only four errors for an exceptional .905 passing percentage. Defensively, King stopped 18 potential Spartan kills. 

Eagles junior Tasha-Gaye Richards added to the offensive tempo, nailing eight kills on the Norfolk hardwood.

As team, NCCU blocked 19 attacks and earned 60 digs on defense. During offensive play, the Eagles put away 45 hits and served six aces.

The Spartans entered the match 10-15, making them a more than worthy opponent. The Virginia based MEAC program took the first two sets 25-22, 25-13.

Guiding the Norfolk State offense was Charlotte Armstead with 24 kills on 42 attempts, hitting 45.2 percent on the night. Ellica Morris added 10 kills to the Spartans total of 51. Nicole Kessner kept the Norfolk State offense alive with 41 assists.

Defensively, the green and gold picked up 74 digs. Arielle Knafel and Paige Gary-Canty tallied 18 and 17 digs, respectively. Knafel also paced the blocking game with six blocks.  As a team, the Spartans earned seven blocks.

The Eagles return to the nest to host a three-game homestand beginning with the defending MEAC champion Florida A&M Rattlers. The first set of the match begins at 7 p.m. on Oct. 29, kicking off the exciting 2010 Homecoming weekend.

For more information on Eagles Volleyball or for up-to-date scores and statistics, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.