DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – The North Carolina Central University volleyball team is set to host the Spartans of USC Upstate on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m. in McDougald-McLendon to commence a three-game homestand.

The Eagles (3-21) return to action following a three-set (25-22, 25-13, 25-14) win over the North Carolina A&T Aggies on Sunday, Oct. 30 in Greensboro, N.C. 

After three-sets of play, freshman and senior duo Dayanna Arrufat and Shantel Moore led the offensive effort with Arrufat tallying 14 kills and Moore gathering 10 kills.  Sophomore Jzima-Malaki Kalao directed the offense with 30 assists in the win.  Senior Emanuelle Santos continues to pivotal force the mighty maroon, in this match Santos led in digs with nine, while Arrufat gathered one solo block.

This season, the Eagles are led by freshman Dayanna Arrufat, sophomore Jzima-Malaki Kalao and seniors Emanuelle Santos and Tasha-Gaye Richards.  Arrufat paces NCCU in kills with 208 kills on the season for an average of 2.70 kills per set, while Santos leads in digs with 134.  Kalao leads the maroon and gray in assists with 394, as Richards guides the blocking campaign with 41 total blocks and the serving game with 19 service aces this year. 

Collectively, the mighty maroon have amassed 753 kills, 683 assists, 110 service aces, 765 digs and 106 total blocks.

The Spartans (7-18) enter the nest after a four-set (19-25, 26-24, 24-26, 21-25) loss to Kennesaw State on Saturday, Oct. 29 in Kennesaw, Ga.

The Spartans’ offense is led by Morgan Thomas with 277 kills on the season, while Emily Sanders has delivered 717 assists.  Thomas and Sanders also guide the defensive effort with Thomas amassing 297 digs and Sanders collecting 54 blocks.

As a unit, USC Upstate has collected 988 kills, 885 assists, 93 service aces, 1392 digs and 110 total blocks.

Following Tuesday’s contest, the Eagles will host 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.