DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University volleyball team kicks off the 2014 season at home on Friday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m., during day-one of the NCCU Invitational, where the Lady Eagles play host to Campbell, Wofford and Valparaiso in McDougald-McLendon Gym.

During day two, NCCU matches up with Wofford at 1 p.m., and takes on Valpo at 7 p.m.

"We had a really good preseason," said head coach Nicki Holmes. "I am excited about the work ethic this team will bring to the floor. Opening at home will be a wonderful experience for this team, and will allow us to take on these tough opponents while in a comfortable environment."

SEASON PREVIEW
The 2014 campaign will mark a season of new beginnings as first-year head coach Nicki Holmes takes the reign as the Lady Eagles fourth leader in school history. Following 2013's trying season, finishing 3-25 overall and 3-7 during Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, NCCU looks to flourish in 2014 with guidance from its upperclassmen-ladened squad alongside Holmes' direction.

RETURNERS
After graduating only two seniors from a year ago, the Lady Eagles return eight of their 12 letterwinners from last season, led by a dominant upperclass, composed of  four seniors, three juniors and two sophomores.

"The experience of our upperclassmen will be critical," Holmes added. "They are doing a great job and we are seeing each of them bring a different style of leadership to the floor."

Rising senior Da'sha Brown (Gaston, S.C.) leads the NCCU returners after collecting a team second-best 208 kills on the season, averaging 2.51 per set. Brown finished the 2013 season with 10 assists and 12 service aces, while on the defensive end earned a team second-best 158 digs and collected 14 blocks.

Brown will be joined by senior setter Alice Genna (Rome, Italy), rising sophomore outside hitter Kelsey Murphy (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), and senior outside hitter Ashley McCarthy (Elmont, N.Y.) as the Lady Eagles returning offensive foursome.

As the Eagles No. 1 setter, Genna dished a team-best 404 helpers on the season (5.39 aps), while also adding 12 service aces and 12 kills as a junior. On the defensive end, she contributed 121 digs and 16 blocks.

As a rookie, Murphy ranked in the team's top-three in kills with 158 during the season on 646 attempts, averaging 1.07 per match. She collected 10 assists and 10 service aces on the offensive end, while on defense she earned 17 total blocks and led the Lady Eagles with a team-best 210 digs (2.26 dps).

McCarthy, rounding out the top returners, ranked in the top-five of a majority of NCCU's offensive and defensive categories in 2013. She finished fourth on the team in kills with 152 on 427 attempts (.148), fourth on the team in digs with 117 (1.26 dps), second on the team in blocks with 72 (.77 bps) and finished with a team second-best 14 solo blocks during the season.

The Lady Eagles will also look to receive increased contributions from redshirt junior Melissa Rabell Pineiro (Canovanas, Puerto Rico), who shared time between a second setter and defensive specialist for NCCU last season. She collected a team second-best 297 assists, averaging 3.38 per set, while ranking in the team's top-three in digs with 146 (1.66 dps).

Also returning for NCCU this season will be reserves Emily Eswonia (Sr., OH, Tempe, Ariz.), Marilyn Sherbondy (Jr., L/DS, Fayetteville, N.C.), Denni Johnson (R-Jr., OH/RS, Ashburn, Va.), and Ashley Johnson (So., MH, Charlotte, N.C.).

NEWCOMERS
The Lady Eagles will welcome one junior transfer during the 2014 season as Kelly Rossip (Jr., M, Port Charlotte, Fla.) joins NCCU after spending two seasons at State College of Florida in Bradenton, Fla.

NCCU will also add a rookie quartet of Anastaja Jones (Fr., M, Frisco, Texas) from Wakeland High School, Gabrielle Leclerc (Fr., OH, Narragansett, R.I.) from Narragansett H.S., Paige Phillips (Fr., S, Birmingham, Ala.) from Vestavia Hills H.S. and Lauryn Martin (Fr., L/DS, Round Rock, Texas) from Stony Point H.S.