DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – The North Carolina Central University volleyball team is set to enter the second-half of conference play beginning with a Sunday, Oct. 30 rematch against the North Carolina A&T State University Aggies at 3:00 p.m. in Corbett Sports Center.

The two squads met earlier this season, with NCCU clutching a three set (25-14, 25-17, 25-15) victory on Sept. 23 in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.

Sunday’s matchup initiates the second-half of conference play, where the mighty maroon will head into rematches against southern division Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponents.

The Eagles (2-21) return to action following a three-set (25-23, 25-19, 27-25) loss to the Bulldogs of South Carolina State on Sunday, Oct. 16 in Durham, N.C. 

The Eagles relied on the offensive efforts of freshman Dayanna Arrufat and senior Emanuelle Santos, who finished the contest with 14 kills and 10 kills, respectively.  Contributing to the offensive effort with 31 assists was sophomore Jzima-Malaki Kalao.  Senior Raven King added 13 digs to the defense, followed by Kalao who finished with seven.  Santos and senior Tasha-Gaye Richards round out the Eagles defensive leadership with three assisted blocks apiece.

This season, the Eagles are led by freshman Dayanna Arrufat, sophomores Jzima-Malaki Kalao and senior Tasha-Gaye Richards.  Arrufat paces NCCU in kills with 194 kills on the season for an average of 2.62 kills per set, while leading in digs with 129.  Kalao leads the maroon and gray in assists (364) and service aces (17), while Richards guides the blocking campaign with 40 total blocks this year. 

Collectively, the mighty maroon have amassed 720 kills, 646 assists, 103 service aces, 733 digs and 104 total blocks.

The Aggies (1-22) host the Eagles after a three-set (25-15, 25-20, 25-10) loss Coppin State on Sunday, Oct. 23 in Greensboro, N.C.

The Aggies’ offense is led by Jenea Daniels with 132 kills on the season, while Chelsea Fox has delivered 333 assists.  Daniels and Andrea Evans guide the defensive effort with Daniels amassing 116 digs and Evans collecting 39 blocks.

As a unit, North Carolina A&T has collected 416 kills, 375 assists, 65 service aces, 613 digs and 81 total blocks.

Following Sunday’s contest, the Eagles will host USC Upstate (Nov. 2), Bethune-Cookman (Nov. 4) and Florida A&M (Nov. 6).

Visit the official NCCU Athletics website www.NCCUEaglePride.com for up-to-date information on Eagle Volleyball.