2011 NCCU Women's Volleyball Schedule

DURHAM, N.C. – In their first season as a full Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) program, North Carolina Central University will tackle a challenging 31-match slate against nine NCAA tournament teams (three Atlantic Sun, one Atlantic 10, four Big South, one Colonial Athletic Association, one PAC 10, three SoCon and one SWAC opponent), including 12 league matches.

 

In her fifth season as the NCCU head women’s volleyball coach, Georgette Crawford-Crooks releases the 2011 volleyball schedule on Friday, June 29. 

 

“As we continue to strive for Division I excellence, our schedule has to remain competitive and challenging,” said Crawford-Crooks.

 

NCCU begins the season with three consecutive tournaments, beginning with the fifth annual NCCU Hilton/RTP Invitational on Aug. 26-27 in the McDougald-McLendon Gym. The mighty maroon and gray will host volleyball programs from Campbell, Elon and Florida Gulf Coast. 

 

The Eagles will travel to the nation’s capital for their first appearance at the Georgetown Tournament on Sept. 2-3 in Washington, D.C. NCCU will face Central Connecticut on Sept. 2, and George Washington and UNC Wilmington on Sept. 3.

 

Returning to the nest on Sept. 9-10, NCCU will host Hampton and California State Bakersfield (other programs will be added at a later date) for the NCCU Tournament which will take place in McDougald-McLendon Gym. 

 

The maroon and gray will hit the road for their third tournament hosted by Elon (N.C.), on Sept. 16-17. NCCU will open the weekend with its match against Winthrop on Sept. 16, and conclude the weekend with Elon and Campbell on Sept. 17.

 

NCCU begins head-to-head home competition against UNC Asheville on Sept. 20 in McDougald-McLendon Gym. The first official MEAC home game is set for Sept. 23, against mega rival North Carolina A&T State. The mighty maroon defeated the Lady Aggies during both matchups of the 2010 campaign. The Eagles continue their first home stand with Radford on Sept. 27.

 

Spending the next two weeks on the road, NCCU will participate in the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Tournament in Princess Anne, Md., on Sept. 30-Oct. 1. The Eagles will challenge Hampton and Cal State Bakersfield on Sept. 30 and conclude with UMES and Alabama State on Oct. 1. Continuing its road trip, NCCU will travel to Greensboro, N.C., to face the Spartans of UNC Greensboro on Oct. 4. The Eagles conclude their road stint with weekend play against MEAC Florida foes, Florida A&M (Oct. 7) and Bethune-Cookman (Oct. 8).

 

In a three-game home slate, the Eagles will face new MEAC member Savannah State on Oct. 14. NCCU then welcomes South Carolina State to McDougald-McLendon Gym on Oct. 16 and concludes the home slate with SoCon foe Davidson (Oct. 18).

 

Before another three-game home stand, the maroon and gray venture down interstate 85 to battle North Carolina A&T State on Oct. 30.

 

For their final home slate of the season, the Eagles welcome Atlantic Sun opponent USC Upstate on Nov. 2, followed by MEAC foes Bethune-Cookman (Nov. 4) and Florida A&M (Nov. 6). 

 

NCCU will conclude the season with a southern road trip beginning with a match against High Point on Nov. 8. The squad then ventures to the Palmetto State to face South Carolina State (Nov. 11) and concludes the regular season in Georgia to battle Savannah State (Nov. 13).

 

For the first time since 2006, the mighty maroon and gray will contest for a conference championship on Nov. 18-20 during the 2011 MEAC Championship.

 

“The key to our success this season will be our ability to play as a team and our leadership on the court,” said Crawford-Crooks.

 

 

This season’s leadership will come from senior right side/outside hitter Shantel Moore and sophomore setter Jzima-Malaki Kalao. Moore, who ended the 2010 campaign early due to injury, will be key to filling the vacancy left by senior Belinda Behncke-Biney.

 

“Due to Shantel’s injury, she spent a great deal of time on the sidelines,” Crawford-Crooks said. “Given that vantage point, Shantel has seen and understands the needs of the team from all angles, making her a smarter element of the program.”

 

 

The 2011 class consists of a talented, driven and eager trio: Malessa Clary (Southfield, Va.), Dyana Arrufat (Miami Beach, Fla.) and JaNae Raynor (Colorado Springs, Colo.).

 

“I believe that my newcomers will make a significant impact,” said Crawford-Crooks. “They all have a strong desire to learn and play in their first year. I believe that they have the work ethic to accomplish those goals, while making an impact from day one.” 

 

 

Senior Martisann Sinclair will anchor the outside hitters. Sinclair finished the 2010 season with 414 kills (behind Behncke-Biney) and 199 points (behind Sashalee Wallen).

 

“Martisann has matured over the course of four years,” said Crawford-Crooks. “She knows that this season is about coming in and doing her job, and doing it well.”

 

Joining Sinclair on the left side will be Arrufat.

 

“Dayana will bring height and fundamental strength to the outside position,” said Crawford-Crooks. “She understands that she is expected to come in ready to play and contribute to the team.”

 

 

Ensuring the offense flows efficiently will be the job of Kalao, who finished the 2010 season with 948 assists. 

 

“After a solid year under her belt, Jackie (Jzima-Malaki) has a better understanding of her role and what I expect from her as a leader on the court,” said Crawford-Crooks. “When she returns in the fall, I know she will be ready to get to work.”

 

 

Rotating back to the right side for the Eagles is Moore. While she ended the 2010 campaign after only playing seven matches, this season the senior will return as the primary offensive threat. Moore will primarily play on the right side, but she will have outside hitting responsibilities as well. 

 

 

The middle hitting position comes in with the most depth, with three student-athletes. Russell, who will have duties on the right side, will find the core of her responsibility as a middle hitter.

 

“Kalin is an all around player with the passion to win,” Crawford-Crooks said. “Her presence on the court makes her an option on the right side and in the middle, which we will utilize every time we step on the court.”

 

In her final season as an Eagle, Tasha-Gaye Richards returns to the middle position as the second strongest solo blocker with 10 blocks during the 2010 season and third in blocking assists with 50.

 

Newcomer Clary is expected to make a significant influence immediately even though she is a walk-on, as her height and agility will be extremely effective. 

 

“Malissa wants to learn and grow,” said Crawford-Crooks. “When she approached me about joining the program, she conveyed a sense of passion and determination that will great for our program.”

 

 

With senior Emanuelle Santos and sophomore Raynor anchoring the defensive specialists’ position, the Eagles should find ease in fueling their offense.

 

Santos, who is listed as a utility student-athlete, will show her versatility and athleticism as a defensive specialist this season.

 

“With JaNae joining the defensive specialists, we will see a lot of competition in practice and on game day,” said Crawford-Crooks. “With all three of my defensive players possessing such strong competitive spirits, our defensive leadership will another key to our success.”

 

 

With NCCU settled into their MEAC home, the Eagles will strive for excellence in conference and post-season play. The mighty maroon will demonstrate that ‘winning is habit, but success is a choice’.