<div><b>DURHAM, N.C. – </b>The North Carolina Central University women’s volleyball team went head-to-head with the defending MEAC champion Florida A&M University volleyball team taking the first set of the match 26-24 on Friday, Oct. 29 in the LeRoy T. Walker P.E. Complex.<br /> <br /> </div> <div>The Rattlers proved their dominance as a MEAC program, rallying back to take the match in four sets (24-26, 25-20, 25-20, 25-22). <br /> </div> <div><br /> Continuing to be a major contributor for the Eagles’ offense, junior Sashalee Wallen earned her third consecutive double-digit kill. Wallen turned 23 attempts into 11 kills, pacing the NCCU hitting percentage at .348. The 6-0 middle hitter served three aces.<br /> </div> <div><br /> Preserving the NCCU blocking game, middle hitter Tasha-Gaye Richards obtained her season high solo blocking record with four blocks and two block assists. <span> <br /> </span><br /> NCCU senior Belinda Behncke-Biney maintained her offensive authority, hammering 19 kills on the Rattlers. The left-handed outside hitter earned her second highest service ace record, with five service aces. Four of those unanswered serves changed the momentum during set two of the match. Defensively, Behncke-Biney amassed six digs.<br /> </div> <div><br /> Freshman Emanuelle Santos merged into the Eagles’ offense with six kills and two block assists for the match.<br /> <br /> During the winning match, the Eagles hit 63 percent, earning 16 kills over eight errors. Behncke-Biney paced the NCCU offense with eight and Wallen utilized six sets for three kills. <br /> </div> <div><br /> For the set win, the Eagles’ defense limited FAMU’s offense to seven kills on 26 attempts. <br /> </div> <div>As a squad, NCCU amassed 47 kills, 40 assists, 34 of those were distributed by setter Jzima Malaki-Kalao. The Eagles’ earned 10 blocks and 11 service aces.<br /> <br /> As the match progressed, the NCCU fire began to simmer and the Rattlers commenced to ante up their play.<br /> <br /> FAMU had three hitters that accumulated double digit kills on the night. Pamela Barrera led the offense with 13 kills on 21 attempts and assisted with six blocks. Lorin Rucker slid 11 kills on the Eagles’ offense and sustained the right side of the net with nine block assists. Katherine Huanec rounded out the double digit kill group with 10 kills, four digs and two block assists.<br /> <br /> Diana Gonzalez circulated 40 assists to the Rattlers hitters.</div> <div><br /> Unifying their efforts, FAMU combined 15 team blocks, 46 kills, 43 assist four service aces and 44 digs for the match win.</div> <div><br /> NCCU continues their at-home play with the Aggies of North Carolina A&T on Friday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.</div> <div><br /> For more information on Eagles Volleyball or for up-to-date scores and statistics, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at <a href="http://www.nccueaglepride.com/"><span>www.NCCUEaglePride.com</span></a>.</div> <div> </div>
