DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – Following 12 days of intense practice, the North Carolina Central University volleyball team returns to the court for the two-day Elon Phoenix Classic in Elon, N.C., on Sept. 16-17.

 

The two-day competition will consist of a 4:30 p.m. matchup with Winthrop (5-5) on Sept, 16 and rematches against Elon (9-3), who won the 2011 Hilton RTP/NCCU Volleyball Tournament on Sept. 3, at 12:30 p.m. and against Campbell (4-8), who also beat the Eagles during the open-seasoning tournament, at 4:30 p.m.

 

NCCU is currently on an eight-match losing skid as they enter this weekend’s action with a 0-8 record, following a three-set loss to UNC Wilmington on Sept. 3 during the George Washington Invitational. The Eagles look to gain their first wins of the season at the Elon Phoenix Classic.

 

Freshman Dayanna Arrufat, who was just announced as the NCCU Student-Athlete of the Month for August, anchors the offense with a team-high 69 kills, averaging 2.56 kills per set. Defensively, Arrufat has contributed 42 digs on the year, which averages to 1.56 digs per set.

 

Senior Shantel Moore adds a surge to the mighty maroon offense with 50 kills this year, averaging 2.50 per set, while assisting in the blocking campaign with 12 block assists. Moore received her first all-tournament recognition as a member of the George Washington Invitational All-Tournament Team. Sophomore Kalin Russell leads the Eagles in blocking with 23 on the season. Russell has assisted on 19 blocks and blocked four opponents attacks alone.

 

Leading on the offensive and defensive end is sophomore Jzima-Malaki Kalao. Kalao fuels the NCCU offense with 116 assist this season, while leading in digs with 54.

 

NCCU senior trio Raven King, Martisann Sinclair and Emanuelle Santos, make their debut this season during the Elon Phoenix Classic. The threesome has been out due to minor medical concerns. King and Santos will bring depth to the defensive, while Sinclair will add to the Eagles’ outside hitting regime.

 

Elon will provide live stats, video and audio during the Elon Phoenix Classic. Visit the official NCCU athletics website at www.NCCUEaglePride.com for up-to-date information on Eagle Volleyball.