DURHAM, N.C. – The long-standing rivalry continues Friday, Oct. 26 as the North Carolina Central University volleyball team returns home to face North Carolina A&T State University in an Eagle-Aggie battle for bragging rights at the L.T. Walker Complex in Durham, N.C. First serve is set for 7 p.m.  Admission is free.

Friday will mark the second meeting of the season between the Eagles and the Aggies as NCCU looks to jump back on the winning track with a 5-19 (3-2 MEAC) mark coming into the match. During the last match-up between the two, NCCU returned home from Greensboro, N.C., with a dramatic 3-2 victory (28-30, 25-22, 14-25, 25-23, 16-14) over N.C. A&T. The Aggies have struggled this season as they are currently two matches removed from their first victory of the season which has left them 1-26 (1-4) on the year.

This season the Eagles have five wins under their wings with victories over Hampton, Tennessee State, South Carolina State, Savannah State and the Aggies. Three of NCCU’s victories have been against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponents (NCAT, SCSU, SSU), earning the Eagles a 3-2 MEAC record as they look to improve that to 4-2 on Friday.

On the season, the Eagles are anchored by senior outside hitter Christine Anthony, who has been a huge threat on both the offensive and defensive sides of the net. The Willemstad, Curacao, native tops the team in multiple categories, leading the team with 287 kills (averaging 3.59 per set), 328.5 points and 183 digs. In addition, Anthony is second on the team with 20 service aces and 38 blocks.

Contributing to the success of Anthony is the freshmen/sophomore setting duo of Alice Genna and Melissa Rabell Pineiro, who have dished a total of 715 out of the Eagles’ 786 total assists with 378 and 337, respectively.  Sophomore outside hitter Dayana Arrufat Rondon has also had a strong offensive presence for the Eagles with 244 kills (3.05 per set) and a team-high 27 service aces.

Showing her strength on the net and contributing to the consistent blocking game of the Eagles on the defensive end is junior Kalin Russell with the team-high of 72 blocks, averaging .90 per set.

As a team, the Eagles have amassed 857 kills, averaging 10.71 per set, while dropping in 112 service aces. Defensively, they have notched 860 digs and 128.0 blocks.

The Aggies looks to snap a two-match losing streak as they stand with a 1-26 record with their solo victory coming against Savanna State. They enter Friday’s action following a 3-0 loss to The Citadel.

Leading the way for the Aggies is Brooke Stamnes, who averages 2.27 kills per set on the season. Stamnes leads the team in two categories with 227 kills and 48 service aces, and is second on the team with 219 digs.

N.C.  A&T’s defensive threats are Andrea Evans and Ashley Johnson. Evans leads the Aggies with 81 blocks, including 12 solo, while Johnson has amassed 384 digs. 

As a team, the Aggies have collected 917 kills, averaging 9.17 a set, 828 assists and 158 service aces. Defensively, they have notched 1213 digs and 154.0 blocks this season.