DURHAM, N.C. – It was a long road to the three-set victory for the North Carolina Central University women’s volleyball team on Friday (Nov. 5) inside the McDougald -McLendon Gymnasium, as the Eagles hosted the Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University.  Although NCCU trailed by at least four points in each of the first two set, the Eagles swept the match 3-0 (25-22, 26-24, 25-19).

Prior to the first set of the match, NCCU head coach Georgette Crawford-Crooks honored Belinda Behcke-Biney’s three-years of play with the annual senior presentation.

Senior Belinda Behncke-Biney sparked NCCU with a match-high 10 kills to go along with a pair of service aces and three digs. Juniors Sashalee Wallen and Maritsann Sinclair contributed nine and seven kills, respectively, for the Eagles. NCCU rookie Kalin Russell recorded six kills on just 10 attempts without a hitting error, while adding eight digs and three blocks.

Eagles’ junior Raven King led the defensive effort with 13 digs on the night. Freshman setter Jzima-Malaki Kalao kept the Aggies’ defense on its heels, distributing 31 assists to her offensive regime. 
   

As a team, NCCU accumulated 44 kills, 35 assists, six service aces 41 digs and five team blocks.

While NCCU held the North Carolina A&T to a .117 hitting percentage, three Aggies pushed past the Eagles’ defense, pacing the offense. Freshmen Tatiana Cooper and Mia Gray each amassed eight kills. Gray made a major contribution to the North Carolina A&T defense with 10 digs. 

Aggies sophomore Andrea Evans earned seven kills during the match, and assisted the front defensive efforts with two block assists. Senior setter Amber Inman maintained the North Carolina A&T offense dispensing 25 assists. 

Collectively, the Aggies earned 30 kills, forced three Eagles’ service aces, 33 digs, 27 assists and three team blocks.

NCCU will conclude their three-match homestead with the Spartans of Norfolk State on Sunday Nov. 7 at 3 p.m.

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.