DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Two North Carolina Central University (6-18) student-athletes recorded double-digit digs to anchor an Eagle defense that held Bethune-Cookman University (4-17) to a .136 hitting percentage Friday night in volleyball action at Moore Gymnasium as NCCU earned its second-straight win, 3-1.
NCCU took charge as they claimed the first two sets of the match. With a two sets to none lead, NCCU allowed Bethune-Cookman to crawl back into the match as the Lady Wildcats took set three. The Eagles closed the match with a set four win, as they defeated the Lady Wildcats by scores of 25-20, 25-22, 10-25 and 25-23.
Senior Belinda Behncke-Biney continued to dominate on the offensive side of the ball for the Eagles as she notched her fourth 20-plus kill outing with a match-high 20 kills, marking her 15th double-digit kill performance of the season. She recorded just seven errors, while adding nine digs and a service ace.
Adding nine kills to the mix was junior Maritsann Sinclair, who also contributed four digs. Setting up the powerful Eagle offense was freshman Jzima-Malaki Kalao, who earned her second double-double of the season with 39 assists and a team-high 12 digs. She also accounted for two of the Eagles’ three solo blocks.
Along with Kalao, the Eagles’ back row defense was anchored by junior Raven King with 11 digs, notching her 11th double-figure dig outing of the season. Leading the Eagles’ defense on the net was the duo of Tasha-Gaye Richards and Kalin Russell. Dominating the middle, Richards and Russell combined for seven assisted blocks.
The Eagles, who fought from behind in every set, finished the match with 45 kills, 41 assists, four service aces and seven total blocks. They out-numbered the Lady Wildcats in each of those categories as Bethune-Cookman totaled 41 kills, 39 assists, three service aces and six total blocks. They defeated the Eagles in digs, 52-49.
Lady Wildcat junior Jessica Wilson led the way for Bethune-Cookman with a team-high 14 kills, while contributing nine digs. Krysta Gardner followed with eight kills, while Kaiyana Johnson had seven. Pacing the Wildcat offense was freshman setter Alexis Bliese with 35 dishes and two service aces on the day.
Their defense was anchored by the pair of Jennifer Jimenez and Jacqueline Woodyear with 13 digs apiece. On the net, Bethune-Cookman totaled six blocks with Johnson leading the way with four, including three solo. The senior middle blocker served as the Lady Cats’ major blocking threat.
Bethune-Cookman dropped to 4-17 on the season, while NCCU improved to 6-18 and won its second consecutive match of the season. For the first time this year, the Eagles have won back-to-back matches. NCCU now stands with a two-match winning streak as they continue conference play this weekend.
NCCU returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 10 as they remain in the Sunshine State to battle Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) foe Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fla. Sunday will mark the first meeting between the two teams this season as the Eagles look to continue their winning streak against the nine-time MEAC champions. First serve is set for 3 p.m.
For more information on Eagle Volleyball or for up-to-date scores and statistics, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.
