DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University volleyball team begins its final full week of non-conference competition in preparation for the start of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play next week by hosting Winthrop University on Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. Admission is free at the L.T. Walker Complex on NCCU's campus.
 
Fans that cannot make the match can listen to broadcaster Mike Wood call the contest on the NCCU Sports Network. NCCU sports information will also provide live stats for the match.
 
SCHEDULE DETAILS
 
6:15 PM – Tuesday, September 15
Winthrop at N.C. Central
Free Admission – L.T. Walker Complex – Durham, N.C.
LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS
SERIES: Winthrop is 4-0 against NCCU since the Lady Eagles started competing at the NCAA Division I level but the two programs have not played each other since the 2012 season.
 
North Carolina Central University Volleyball
 
The Lady Eagles concluded a busy five-match week with three losses in the UMES Fall Fling over the weekend. NCCU (0-12 Overall) nearly got its first win of the season in the event finale, losing to Loyola University (Md.) in a tight five-set tilt.
 
Junior Kelsey Murphy earned all-tournament esteem for a second straight week with her strong play in the UMES Fall Fling. Murphy is averaging 3.76 kills per set, which ranks No. 85 individually in DI out of players from 328 volleyball programs. Murphy, who also averages 2.10 digs per set, is coming off her best performance yet with 27 kills against the Loyola Greyhounds (career-high mark that was one shy of a school record).
 
Freshman Sydney Sumner and senior Kelly Rossip are providing some depth to NCCU's attack averaging 2.27 and 2.21 kills per set, respectively. Rossip is hitting a team-best .236 and averaging a team-high 0.43 blocks per set. Sumner is averaging 2.05 digs per set after posting double-doubles in two matches last week.
 
Junior setter Casey Curran returned to the Lady Eagles lineup at the UMES Fall Fling and averaged 8.27 assists per set over the course of 11 sets.
 
Freshman Tamika Brekke (4.00 digs/set) and senior Marilyn Sherbondy (1.86) have recently been splitting time at libero for the Lady Eagles.

NCCU's front line defense has been an issue, currently ranking next to last in NCAA Division I (328th/329) with 0.95 blocks per set.
 
Winthrop University Volleyball
 
After losing their first seven matches, the Eagles got in the win column with three wins at the Bash at the 'Boro hosted by Georgia Southern University. Winthrop (3-7 Overall) will be concluding an 11-match road swing to start the season against NCCU.
 
It's a pair of freshmen that are leading Winthrop's attack that is hitting .216 on the season. Lourdes Rosario is averaging a team-high 3.32 kills per set while classmate Madilyn McCarty is orchestrating the offense with 9.63 assists per set.
 
A trio of juniors follow Rosario on attack in Annelies Dokter (2.59 kills per set), Emma Weakland (2.21) and Brianna Gray (1.72).
 
Gray – a Big South All-Conference Honorable Mention selection in 2014 – is averaging a team-best 1.21 blocks per set for a squad that ranks second in the Big South and 75th nationally with 2.37 blocks per set.
 
Junior Maria Volstad anchors the Eagles back row with 3.62 digs per set.