Live Video ($8.95)
Live Audio (Free)
DURHAM, N.C.– Following a four-game road stint, the North Carolina Central University volleyball team returns home welcoming East Carolina to McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. During the Tuesday night match-up, Ben and Jerry's of Durham will distribute coupons for a free scoop of ice cream to the first 100 fans that attend the game. Admission is free.
On the season, the Eagles (0-12) are anchored by junior outside hitter Da'Sha Brown and senior middle hitter Kalin Russell. Brown, the Gaston, S.C., native tops the team in kills with 85 on the season (averaging 2.30 per set) and is second on the team in digs with 67 (1.81 per set).
Russell, the Bladwin, N.Y., native, ranks second on the team in kills with 81 (2.19 per set), second on the team in blocks with 21 total, has collected 30 digs and five service aces.
Contributing to the offensive success of Brown and Russell is the sophomore/junior duo of Alice Genna and Melissa Rabell Pineiro who have dished a total of 245 out of the Eagles 269 total assists with 185 and 60, respectively. Rookie outside hitter Kelsey Murphy has also had a strong offensive presence for the Eagles with 54 kills (1.46 per set) along with leading the team defensively with 81 digs (2.19 per set).
Showing her strength on the net and contributing to the blocking game of NCCU on the defensive end is junior Ashley McCarthy who has collected a team-high of 30 blocks, eight solo, averaging .81 per set.
As a team, the Eagles have amassed 300 kills, averaging 8.11 per set, while dropping in 30 service aces. Defensively, they have notched 414 digs and 57 blocks.
NCCU and ECU last faced off on Friday, Sept. 13, 2013 in the 2013 Elon Phoenix Classic where the Pirates took the 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-19) victory over the Eagles.
The Pirates (5-5) are coming off of a three-game win streak in Elon where they swept competition during the classic defeating NCCU, Gardner-Webb 3-0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-23) and tournament host Elon 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-16)
Leading the way for ECU is Nicole Willis who has collected 134 kills (4.32 per set), 95 digs (3.06 per set) eight service aces and 18 total blocks. Contributing to Willis's successes is the setting duo of Zarah Cecich and Bella Borgiotti who have circulated 199 and 110 assists respectively.
On the defensive end Shelby Beasley has dug 126 opponents attacks (4.06 per set) while Virginia Fitch leads the team with 30 total blocks.
As a team, ECU has 368 season kills, averaging 11.87 per set, earned 46 service aces, 509 digs, 350 assists and 61.5 blocks.
Live video and audio will be available through the NCCU Sports Network, NCCU's play-by-play voice Chris Hooks will be on the air at 6:50 p.m., and live video will be offered for $8.95.
For more information about NCCU athletics, visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Sports Network app available in the App Store, Google Play and Amazon.
