DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University volleyball team will make its 2017 season debut with three matches in the Hampton Inn Holly Springs Invitational hosted by Campbell University on Friday-Saturday, Aug. 25-26.
 
The Lady Eagles will play The Citadel (12:30 p.m.) and Tennessee Tech (4:30 p.m.) on opening day before battling the host Camels on Saturday (11 a.m.).
 
Fans can listen to all three matches on the NCCU Sports Network. Mike Wood will be on the air providing the play-by-play. Campbell will also provide live stats for all three contests. Fans can follow NCCU volleyball all season by visiting NCCUEaglePride.com and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 
N.C. Central Volleyball
 
NCCU posted a 6-17 record in 2016, including a .500 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The Lady Eagles returned to the MEAC Tournament in head coach Jody Brown's first season last year.
 
The maroon and gray have graduated its top two point producers from a year ago. Junior middle blocker Whitney White is NCCU's top returning scorer after averaging 2.05 kills and 0.74 blocks per set.
 
Other top statistical letter winners for the Lady Eagles are senior setter Paige Phillips (7.25 assists/set, 2.21 digs/set), junior libero Bree Simmons (3.12 digs/set, 0.22 aces/set) and junior middle blocker Jazmine Daye (1.53 kills/set, 0.67 blocks/set).
 
NCCU has added eight newcomers to its roster. Phillips is the only senior on a very young squad.
 
The Citadel Volleyball
 
The Bulldogs composed an 8-25 record last season, including a 1-15 mark in the Southern Conference. The Citadel enters the new season on a 10-match losing streak.
 
Senior outsider Moriah Smith, who is from Durham, was a Second Team All-Southern Conference performer last season. Smith averaged 3.84 kills, 3.20 digs and 0.37 blocks per set in 2016.
 
Other top returners for the Bulldogs are senior setter Logan Smith (6.57 assists/set), junior middle blocker Summerlyn Carruthers (1.17 kills/set) and sophomore middle hitter Sarah Dobrich (0.86 blocks/set).
 
Tennessee Tech Volleyball
 
The Golden Eagles recorded a 7-22 overall record in 2016, which included a 3-13 record in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC).
 
Sophomore middle blocker Rachel Thomas made an immediate impact for Tennessee Tech as a freshman last season. Thomas led the Golden Eagles with 246 points, which included 2.13 kills per set and 0.47 blocks per set.
 
Junior outside hitter Shealene Little paced the squad with 2.49 kills per set. Tennessee Tech did lose its top two specialists at the libero and setter positions from last season.
 
Campbell Volleyball
 
The Camels netted a .500 record in 2016 at 16-16. Campbell did even better in the Big South Conference at 10-6 and are picked fourth in the league this year.
 
Senior libero Kayla Schanback highlights Campbell's letter winners as a Second Team All-BSC selection last season. Schanback averaged 4.72 digs per set on the back row.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Allena Heath secured Big South All-Freshman Team accolades last year and is the Camels top returning offensive threat after averaging 2.70 kills pet set. Senior Summer Schuitema led Campbell at the setter position with 6.09 assists per set.