ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Jzima-Malaki Kalao put on an outstanding performance for the North Carolina Central University Eagles (1-11) Friday afternoon in volleyball action with 30 assists and a season-high 15 digs in a head-to-head battle that saw the Mercer University Bears (4-10) defeat NCCU in three straight sets by scores of 25-17, 28-26 and 25-17 at the South Carolina State Spikefest in the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.
Two NCCU student-athletes recorded double-figure digs for the second time this season. Kalao collected 15, while junior defensive specialist Raven King accounted for 11 of the Eagles’ 48. Once again, NCCU remained in control of the net with seven blocks as Sashalee Wallen, Tasha-Gaye Richards and Belinda Behncke-Biney each recorded three blocks with Richards and Behncke-Biney notching a solo.
On the offensive end, Behncke-Biney paced the Eagles with her second double-digit kill performance of the day with a match-high 11 kills on 42 attempts and nine errors. Her counterpart was junior Emanuelle Santos with eight kills, followed by Wallen with six. Wallen hit a team-high .364 on the day and collected two service aces.
The other side of the net was controlled by Mercer power hitter Krista Hurley who hammered a .500 with 10 kills and just one error. Her partner in crime was Amiee Frutchey with six kills. Bridget Sheerin added 23 assists and three service aces. On the defensive end, the Bears were anchored by Charlotte Harris with 16 digs.
Set one was controlled completely by the Bears as they held the Eagles below zero in hitting percentage and forced eight errors. The Eagles tallied just seven kills in the set, while the Bears exploded with 12 kills and just three errors for a .290 clip, allowing them to hit their way to a 25-17 win.
NCCU picked up the defense in the second set, holding the offensively sound Mercer Bears to just a .082 hitting percentage in the set with 14 kills and 10 errors. Even though their offense cooled down, the Bears’ defense did not as they forced seven Eagle errors and held the Eagles to a .114 clip. NCCU had 12 kills and seven errors as Mercer squeezed past NCCU for a 28-26 win that they had to fight to earn.
Following a set where it looked like the Eagles gave the Bears all they could handle, NCCU picked up the intensity and continued to fight. They put on their best performance in the third set, but unfortunately, so did the Bears. NCCU hit .250 with 13 kills and just four errors, while Mercer hit an impressive .306 with 14 kills and three errors. With both teams battling it out, the Bears came out on top, taking a 25-15 win to take the match.
Mercer improved to 4-10 on the season, while NCCU dropped to 1-11. The Eagles extended their losing skid to six matches. They will return to the hardwood on Saturday, Sept. 18, where they will face Hampton at 1 p.m. before concluding the tournament with The Citadel at 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.
