DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University (3-14) put on its best all-around performance of the year in volleyball action Saturday evening as they rallied from two sets down to defeat the scrappy Bulldogs of South Carolina State University (4-13) in five, 3-2, after being swept by East Tennessee State University (11-5), 3-0, in earlier action to conclude day one of the 2010 NCCU Volleyball Tournament at McDougald-McLendon Gym.
The Eagles used a season-high .230 clip and 13 blocks to rally past the Bulldogs, coming from two sets down to win three consecutive sets. NCCU earned its third win of the season, improving to 3-14 on the year, after defeating SCSU by scores of 20-25, 14-25, 25-19, 25-22 and 15-10. It marked the Eagles’ second five-set match of the season as they hold a perfect 2-0 record when playing five sets. SCSU dropped to 4-13 on the season.
Junior outside hitter Maritsann Sinclair notched her second career double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs. She was also the Eagles’ leader in both categories against the Buccaneers with seven kills and seven digs. Leading the Eagle offense was senior Belinda Behncke-Biney with a match-high 20 kills on a .312 hitting performance.
Along with Sinclair, the Eagle defense was anchored by junior libero Raven King with a team-high 14 digs. Once again, NCCU stayed consistent on the net with 13 total blocks as junior Alexis John anchored the blocking game with a career-high seven blocks, including a solo. Middle hitter Tasha-Gaye Richards followed with six blocks.
The Bulldogs put on an impressive performance of their own as they recorded a .209 clip with 62 kills to go along with 56 assists, 60 digs and six blocks. Bria Brimmer dished 52 of SCSU’s 56 assists, allowing four Bulldog student-athletes to collect double-figure kills and three to notch double-figure digs, including two double-doubles.
Jarne Gleaton notched a double-double, hitting .282 with a team-high 15 kills and 10 digs. Her counterpart was Elizabeth Webb, who earned a double-double with 14 kills and a team-high 18 digs. Shabree Roberson hit a .348 with 13 kills and led in blocks with three. Desire Waller added 12 kills and Melissa Robinson had 14 digs.
Earlier in the day, the Eagles battled the powerful Buccaneers of ETSU, where NCCU was swept in three by scores of 15-25, 16-25 and 13-25. NCCU dropped to 2-14 on the year as ETSU improved to 11-5. It was the second meeting between the two programs as the Bucs maintained their series advantage with a 2-0 lead.
Sinclair led the way on all sides for the Eagles as she recorded a team-high seven kills and seven digs. Kalin Russell and Behncke-Biney each totaled five kills apiece, while Behncke-Biney collected six digs. NCCU struggled on all accounts as they hit below zero and totaled just two blocks and 19 digs.
ETSU showed their power and scrappiness in a match that was controlled solely by the Bucs. They hit .333 with 29 kills and just nine errors, while adding 27 assists, 30 digs and 13 total blocks. Megan Devine led the way with eight kills and a.412 hitting percentage. She was followed by Alysa Long with six kills.
Defensively, the net was controlled by Long with a match-high eight blocks. Devine and Jamie Stancliff combined for eight blocks as the Bucs used their strength and speed to sweep the Eagles.
NCCU returns to action with a pair of matches on Saturday, Sept. 25. The Eagles will open day two of the two-day tournament with Hampton at 1p.m. before closing out the event with Maryland Eastern Shore at 5 p.m. Hampton stands at 0-1 in this weekend’s action and sits at 1-15 on the year, while Maryland Eastern Shore has gone 1-1 in the tournament and stands with a 6-9 mark on the season.
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.
