DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – After hosting five-home contest, the North Carolina Central University Eagles will leave the nest for the two-day George Washington Invitational in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 1-2.
The two-day invitational welcomes squads from Central Connecticut State, UNC Wilmington, NCCU and the host team George Washington.
The mighty maroon venture to the nation’s capital with hopes of snapping a five-match losing streak following the Hilton RTP/NCCU Volleyball Invitational (Aug. 26-27) and the regular season home-opener against Davidson (Aug. 30).
Due to minor injuries, three of this season’s possible starters have been unable to compete, but in their absence, sophomore Jzima-Malaki Kalao and freshman Dayanna Arrufat have taken the squad on their wings.
NCCU’s Kalao, who is listed and recruited as the primary setter, has taken on the role as a right-side hitter and flourished. Kalao is second in kills for the Eagles with 29 kills on the season.
She is also second in assists with 62, while leading the team in defense with 29 digs and 10 services aces.
Eagles’ freshman Arrufat paces the offense with 45 kills, thus providing NCCU with 2.50 kills a set.
Mighty maroon senior Shantal Moore, who fell to injury during the first day of the Hilton RTP/NCCU Volleyball Tournament, is third in kills with 27; Moore is expected to compete during the George Washington Invitational.
Leading the NCCU blocking game with 15 total blocks is sophomore Kalin Russell, 12 of those blocks are block assists.
Maroon and grey freshman Alice Genna directs the Eagles offense, circulating 80 assists on the season.
Collectively, NCCU has amassed 165 kills (9.17 per set), 149 assists (8.28), 28 aces (1.56), 145 digs (8.06) and 24 blocks (1.33).
The Eagles begin competition with a 5:00 p.m. match against Central Connecticut State on Friday, Sept. 2 and conclude the invitational with host team George Washington at 12:00 p.m. and UNC Wilmington at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3.
For more information on Eagle Volleyball or for up-to-date scores and statistics, visit the official NCCU Athletics website at
www.NCCUEaglePride.com.
