DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University volleyball team will try and knock off Mid-Eastern Athletics Conference (MEAC) Southern Division rivals South Carolina State University (Friday, 6 PM) and Savannah State University (Sunday, 1 PM) for a second straight year at home when the Lady Eagles entertain both programs this weekend.
 
All volleyball matches inside McDougald-McLendon Arena are FREE.
 
NCCU will be providing FREE live video, audio and stats for those that cannot attend the matches. Mike Wood will be on the air providing the play-by-play. Fans can follow NCCU volleyball all season by visiting NCCUEaglePride.com and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 
Match Info


6 PM – South Carolina St. at N.C. Central
McDougald-McLendon Arena, Durham, N.C.
WATCH | LISTEN | STATS
 
1 PM – Savannah State at N.C. Central
McDougald-McLendon Arena, Durham, N.C.
WATCH | LISTEN | STATS
 
N.C. Central Volleyball
 
The Lady Eagles dropped a straight set match to Elon University in non-conference play on Tuesday. NCCU (0-13 Overall, 0-1 MEAC) – picked to finish fourth out of six teams in the Southern Division in the MEAC preseason poll – lost its MEAC opener to North Carolina A&T State University in five sets last week.
 
Entering the weekend, three Lady Eagles continue to average over two points per set in freshman Da'Nesha Miller, junior Kierra Shipman and junior Whitney White. NCCU has four other players in freshman Christine Alcox, junior Jazmine Daye, junior Erika Ianovale and freshman McKayla Young all supplying over one point per set.
 
Team leaders for NCCU include Miller (2.29 points/set, 1.89 kills/set), White (.272 hitting percentage), Daye (0.71 blocks/set), junior libero Bree Simmons (3.56 digs/set, 0.16 aces/set), senior setter Paige Phillips (7.19 assists/set).
 
NCCU has moved over .500 against South Carolina State, 10-9, since joining the DI ranks in 2007 after sweeping last year's season series. The Lady Eagles are a dominating 13-1 against Savannah State, including six straight triumphs over that same time period.
 
South Carolina State Volleyball
 
The Lady Bulldogs lost their last five straight matches, including their first two MEAC tilts against Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University in straight sets. South Carolina State (1-16 Overall, 0-2 MEAC) – selected sixth out of six teams in the Southern Division in the MEAC preseason poll – knocked off Norfolk State in five sets for its lone win.
 
Freshman outside hitter Alexus Holt has taking over as SCSU's top attacker averaging over three kills per set. Junior Brianna Dafney, who was the Lady Bulldogs go-to performer last year, has more help this year and is still averaging 2.2 kills per set.
 
Another freshman in Jenai King has taken over the setter position and is averaging nearly seven assists per set. She also matches senior Marcella Chestnut as SCSU's top defender with 2.16 digs per set.
 
Savannah State Volleyball
 
After winning two of their first three matches, the Lady Tigers has lost 14 straight showdowns including MEAC battles to the FAMU rattlers and Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. Savannah State (2-15 Overall, 0-2 MEAC) – voted fifth out of six teams in the Southern Division of the MEAC preseason poll – plays at North Carolina A&T on Friday before appearing in Durham on Sunday.
 
The Lady Tigers use a balanced attack with seven players averaging between 1.0 and 1.5 kills per set. Junior Jennifer Rosado tops the group with 1.43 kills per set. Freshman Tyran Chenault, who supplies 1.30 kills per set, leads Savannah State with 0.77 blocks per set. Fellow freshman Leiri Melendez is producing a team-high 2.94 digs per set.
 
Senior Alee Quint (3.81 assists/set) and freshman Salma Gonzalez (2.77 assists/set) have been splitting the setting duties as the only two Lady Tigers to have played in all 57 of SSU's sets so far this season.