Match Notes - NCCU @ Campbell
DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University Eagles (2-12) look to keep the momentum on their wings as they soar into Buies Creek, N.C., to continue their road stand with a trip to Campbell University (4-11) on Tuesday, Sept. 21 for a 7 p.m. volleyball matchup in the John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center.
Tuesday will mark the ninth meeting between Campbell and NCCU in program history as the Camels hold a 6-2 advantage in the series. The Eagles’ pair of wins came in 1990, the program’s first-ever meeting, and in 2007 with both wins coming on neutral ground. Campbell has won the last four meetings with NCCU winning just two sets in the last four matches. The Eagles look to win for the first time in Buies Creek.
NCCU and Campbell last met on Sept. 29, 2009 in McDougald-McLendon Gym, where the Eagles put on their best defensive performance of the year, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Camels’ powerful middle attack as Campbell slipped by the Eagles, 3-0 by scores of 25-23, 25-20 and 27-25. Nearly 200 people watched the Eagles battle in one of their most aggressive matches of the season as they tied their season-best 58 digs.
The Eagles have a little bit more confidence this time around as they come into Tuesday’s match having snapped their eight-match losing skid with an exciting 3-2 victory over the scrappy Bulldogs of the The Citadel at the South Carolina State Spikefest this past weekend, where NCCU went a disappointing 1-3.
With a 2-12 mark on the season, the Eagles look to keep their hopes alive. They are averaging 8.50 kills per set with 391 kills on the year. Defensively, they hold a powerful blocking game, which is anchored by a pair of Eagles that can dominate the net. NCCU has totaled 89.5 blocks and 509 digs so far this season.
The Eagle offense is paced by senior outside hitter Belinda Behncke-Biney with 133 kills and an average of 2.89 per set. She has notched two double-doubles so far this season and has recorded double-figure kills in the four consecutive games, including a career-high 21 kills against The Citadel on Saturday.
Freshman Jzima-Malaki Kalao takes on the setter duties for the Eagles and is coming off a career performance where she dished 45 assists against The Citadel and earned her second All-Tournament Team honor during this weekend’s action at the South Carolina State Spikefest. She leads the team in assists with 306 dishes.
Anchoring the Eagle defense is junior Raven King, who just earned her first career All-Tournament Team honor after being named the South Carolina State Spikefest Most Outstanding Libero. She averages 3.07 digs per set, leading the team with 135. She recorded double-figure digs in three of the Eagles’ four matches this weekend.
The Eagles’ powerful blocking game is controlled by the duo of Sashalee Wallen and Kalin Russell. Wallen and Russell have combined for 73 total blocks with 39 and 34, respectively. Wallen, a junior middle hitter, is also second on the team in kills with 53, while Russell has totaled 38 kills on the year.
Campbell, who started out the 2010 season on a rocky road with six consecutive losses, has picked up the pace and seems to have found its momentum as they defeated powerhouses Elon and N.C. State this past weekend to take the UNCW Beach Bash Tournament title with a 2-1 mark. Their only loss of the tournament came against tournament-host UNC Wilmington as the Camels earned three spots on the All-Tournament Team.
Coming fresh off the crown, the Camels are 4-11 on the year. They average 10.64 kills per set with 585 kills on the year. They match NCCU very well on the net as they have collected 89.5 total blocks, as well and have totaled 833 digs on defense. From behind the service line, Campbell has dropped in 81 aces.
UNCW Beach Bash Most Valuable Player Allyson Goldbach leads the way for the Camels. She averages 2.62 kills per set and leads the team in kills with 144, while standing second in digs with 134. She is Campbell’s all-around player as she can get it done on offense and defense with 13 service aces and 16 blocks.
Junior libero Kelsey Campbell leads the Camel defense with 168 digs, averaging 3.23 digs per set. She is fresh off a stellar performance at the UNCW Beach Bash, where she grabbed an All-Tournament Team honor. On offense, she has contributed behind the service line with 14 aces.
Outside hitter Emily Werner, the Preseason All-Atlantic Sun selection is second on the team in kills with 129, averaging 2.35 kills per set. She is pretty dominant on defense with 26 blocks on the year. The Camels’ blocking leader is junior middle hitter Annie Kobeski with 41 blocks, followed by Caitlin Bendy with 35.
Heather Wilson contributes on the offensive end for the Camels as a dominant setter with 236 assists on the season. She also has 50 kills and 21 blocks and earned a UNCW Beach Bash All-Tournament Team honor.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, they haven’t had much luck against teams from the state of North Carolina. Out of the 14 teams that NCCU has faced this season, five of them are from the Tar Heel State. NCCU remains winless against teams from the great state of North Carolina and they look to end that streak against Campbell.
Eagle fans will be able to catch all of the action live. Campbell will offer fans two ways to experience the action. Fans can follow along with live statistics online for no charge or they can log-in to the Fighting Camel Zone and watch the action live for a cost of $7.95.
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.
