DURHAM, N.C. – The 12th-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-1) used their height and strength to cruise to a 3-0 sweep over the North Carolina Central University Eagles (1-6) by scores of 25-12, 25-13 and 25-15 Friday evening at Cameron Indoor Stadium for the opening round of the Duke Volleyball Invitational Tournament.

NCCU was led by senior outside hitter Belinda Behncke-Biney, who notched eight kills, two service aces and six digs, while junior transfer Emanuelle Santos totaled six kills and four digs. Behncke-Biney and Santos combined for 14 of the Eagles’ 18 kills. NCCU managed to drop in five aces from behind the service line.

On the defensive side of the ball, junior Sashalee Wallen stepped up to the challenge, anchoring the Eagles’ blocking game with five blocks. Alexis John added two blocks to the mix, while Kalin Russell, Jzima-Malaki Kalao, Santos and Behncke-Biney combined for five to give the Eagles six total blocks on the match.

Raven King, the starting libero for the Eagles, led NCCU in digs with eight, followed by Behncke-Biney with six. Kalao, Santos and John added four each, while Maritsann Sinclair collected one.

The Eagles battled in the first set, hanging with the nationally ranked Gophers. They forced four tie scores and two lead changes before Minnesota went on a 13-3 run to take an 18-9 lead. The Golden Gophers hammered a .632 to claim a 25-12 win over the Eagles after recording 14 kills and collecting nine digs.

NCCU played a much better defensive game in the second set, holding the powerful Golden Gophers to a .250 clip, forcing five errors and dominating on the net with three total blocks. Santos hit .222 in the set with a team-high three kills, while Wallen recorded three blocks. NCCU fell 25-13 in the set.

Minnesota faced a different NCCU team in the third set as the Eagles came out of the break to take a quick 4-0 lead to open the set. The Eagles stayed in control until an attack error by Santos allowed the Golden Gophers to tie the set at five, the only tie of the set.  From that point on, Minnesota was in control as the Eagles fought hard, staying within three until an 11-7 lead sparked the Gopher offense.

The Golden Gophers hit .342 in the set with 16 kills to claim a 25-15 win as the Eagles crept out of the negative to total seven kills, while collected 15 digs, their most productive defensive performance.

Minnesota notched a .476 clip on the match with 42 kills and just 10 errors, while recording 46 digs and nine blocks. NCCU tallied 18 kills and five service aces, while collecting 28 digs and six blocks.

Ashley Wittman and Tabi Love combined for 18 kills to lead the Golden Gopher offense, while Mia Tabberson contributed a match-high 30 assists. Wittman added 11 digs, while Tori Dixon recorded seven blocks.

The Eagles return to Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 11 for doubleheader action as they look to bounce back and take home a win. They will face tournament-host Duke at 10 a.m. before concluding the Duke Volleyball Invitational with Delaware at 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Fans can follow the action online as live statistics will be available for both Saturday matches. For more information on Eagle Volleyball or to get up-to-date scores and statistics, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.