Match Statistics
DURHAM, N.C. – After dropping set one of the match, the North Carolina Central University women’s volleyball team rallied back to win three straight sets defeating the Spartans of Norfolk State for the last home game of the 2010 season on Sunday, Nov. 7 in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.
The Eagles took the match by a stellar blocking performance, amassing 11 total team blocks.
NCCU freshman Kalin Russell continued to have a break-out season, nailing eight kills, assisting with five blocks, digging seven Spartan attacks and earning three service aces. Senior Belinda Behncke-Biney paced the NCCU offense with 13 kills on 32 attempts. The outside hitter also added six digs to the defense.
Eagles’ juniors Sashalee Wallen and Tasha-Gaye Richards announced their presence in the middle with resilient offensive and defensive poise. Wallen assisted with three blocks and collected nine kills with only one error. Richards pinned five kills on 10 attempts with just a single error, while earning four block assists.
Freshman setter Jzima-Malaki Kalao disturbed 36 assists on the night. Defensive specialist Raven King led the Eagles’ defensive efforts with nine digs.
As a unit, NCCU hammered 47 kills, forced five Spartans reception errors and accumulated 36 digs.
The Norfolk State volleyball team gave a noteworthy performance during each set, beginning with their first set win, 25-19.
Freshman Arielle Knafel paced the Spartans’ offense with 11 kills, and assisted the defensive efforts with eight digs. Outside hitter Ellica Morris contributed to the Norfolk State offense with 10 kills and five digs on the night.
Junior Nicole Kessner kept the Spartans’ offense alive, dispersing 30 sets and earning four kills.
As a team, Norfolk State pushed 42 kills past the Eagles’ defense, aced seven serves, dug 34 balls and earned five team blocks.
After their first set loss, the Eagles quietly took set two of the match, relying on their blocking efforts to simmer the Spartans’ offensive fire. Following a short intermission after set two, NCCU began set three with vengeance.
Holding the Spartans to 11-points for the set, the Eagles jumped out to a 15-3 advantage and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the rest of the set.
During the final set of the match, Norfolk State would not go down without a fight. The green and gold out dug the maroon and grey with 11 digs over the Eagles seven digs. But it was the NCCU block that pushed them to victory, earning four blocks to the Spartans zero.
The Eagles advance their record to 9-23.
NCCU will close-out their 2010 season on the road, traveling to Wake Forest on Tuesday (Nov. 9), then to Delaware State Friday (Nov. 12).
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.
