Photo Gallery / Complete Tournament Results / Post-Game Interview

DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – In its first match as a full Division I volleyball program, North Carolina Central University could not find its offensive and defensive flow during the fifth annual Hilton RTP/NCCU Volleyball Tournament falling to Campbell in three straight sets (17-25, 14-25, 20-25) on Friday, Aug. 26.

 

NCCU senior Shantel Moore returned to the court with dominance, recording 13 kills and three block assists. Moore led the offense during set one and two, turning nine attempts into five kills with one error in set one and converting nine attempts into five kills over three errors in set two. Moore’s blocking show began during set three, with three consecutive block assists, taking the Eagles to a three-point lead.

 

Maroon and gray sophomore Jzima-Malaki Kalao took on the setter’s role. In her second year as the offensive leader, Kalao distributed 24 assists, while circulating a total 71 sets.

 

Making her college debut was freshman Dayanna Arrufat. The Trujilo Alto, Puerto Rico native, led the team in digs with seven. Senior Emanuelle Santos also contributed to the defense with five digs on the night.

 

The Eagles began the match attempting to shake the season-opening jitters off their feathers. NCCU struggled to find its flow offensively and defensively, with 27 kills, 24 hitting errors on 75 attempts for a .040 hitting percentage. Defensively, the host Eagles totaled 24 digs and four blocks.

 

Set three was the highlight of the match, with the Eagles taking the lead within the opening points of the set. After Moore’s stellar blocking, NCCU led Campbell 7-4, forcing the Camels to take a timeout.

 

Campbell’s Annie Kobeski was an all-around threat to the Eagles with seven kills, four service aces and five block assists.  Jessica Groen and Kelsey Marek supported the offensive campaign with seven kills and six kills, respectively.

 

Heather Wilson commanded the Camels’ setting game with a .440 setting percentage by distributing 22 assists on 50 total sets. Wilson contributed to the offense hitting .400 percent with kills and five attempts.

 

Campbell’s Kelsey Campbell led the defense with six digs on the night.

 

NCCU returns to action Saturday, Aug. 27 to conclude the Hilton RTP/NCCU Volleyball Tournament. The Eagles will face the Phoenix of Elon at 9:00 a.m., Florida Gulf Coast at 1:00 p.m. and Hampton at 5:00 p.m.

 

For more information on Eagle Volleyball and to receive up-to-date information on the Hilton RTP/NCCU Volleyball Tournament, visit the official NCCU Athletics website at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.