DURHAM, N.C. – The Hilton RTP/NCCU Volleyball Tournament defending champions showed why they stand undefeated in this weekend’s two-day event as the Elon Phoenix cruised past the North Carolina Central University Eagles, 3-0, Saturday morning at McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.

NCCU struggled to match the intensity of Elon, who stands undefeated in tournament play after defeating the Eagles 25-13, 25-10 and 25-15. With the loss, the Eagles fall to 0-4 on the season.

Freshman middle hitter Kalin Russell was the lone Eagle to put on a positive hitting performance with a .333 clip. She also added a block assist to the Eagle defense. Outside hitter Belinda Behncke-Biney led NCCU in kills with four, while contributing on defense with a block of her own. Jzima-Malaki Kalao added 11 assists in the mix.

The Eagle defense totaled two blocks and 33 digs with Maritsann Sinclair dominating the defensive effort with 10 digs. Alexis John added eight and Raven King collected six. Assisting Russell on the block was senior right side Shantel Moore, who was second on the team in kills with three.

Elon was led Allison Johnson with eight kills and Carly Ledbetter with five, making up two of the Phoenix’s six student-athletes to put up positive marks. Ledbetter clipped a .625, remaining flawless in the match. Elon totaled 34 kills and just 14 errors to hit .225 on the day.

Contributing to the Elon offense was Megan McMahon with a match-high 20 assists.

Defensively, the Phoenix collected six blocks and 39 digs. Their defensive efforts kept the Eagles in trouble as they forced 26 Eagle errors. Cali Estes gave the Eagles a hard time as she totaled four blocks, including a solo. Defensive specialist Ali Deatsch led Elon in digs with 12.

Elon (3-0) stands one win away from claiming its second consecutive Hilton RTP/NCCU Volleyball Tournament title, standing as the lone team to go away undefeated. Last season, Elon’s Traci Stewart took home the Most Valuable Player honor. She hit .500 in the match with three assists and two digs.

The Eagles will return to action this evening at 7 p.m. when they conclude the 2010 Hilton RTP/NCCU Volleyball Tournament against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe Delaware State. The Eagles will look for their first win of the season, while Delaware State stands 2-1 in this weekend’s action.

For more information on Eagle Volleyball or for up-to-date scores and statistics from this weekend’s tournament, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.