DURHAM, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University volleyball team will have a chance to move into sole possession of first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) when the Eagles face the only other undefeated team in the league during a showdown at Delaware State University on Friday at 6 p.m. NCCU will conclude its two-game conference road trip with a visit to University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Sunday at 1 p.m.
MATCH INFO:
DATE: Fri., Oct. 8 at Delaware St. (6 PM)
LOCATION: Memorial Hall Gym, Dover, Del.
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DATE: Sun., Oct. 10 at Maryland Eastern Shore (1 PM)
LOCATION: Hytche Arena, Princess Anne, Md.
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LIVE STATS;
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NOTE: Fans are encouraged to check
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NC CENTRAL COURT:
The Eagles are off to their best start in the league since joining the MEAC in 2011-12 after picking up a 3-0 road win at South Carolina State University last week. NCCU (4-8 Overall, 3-0 MEAC) would move into first place in the conference with a win over frontrunner Delaware State on Friday.
Sophomore setter
Lauren Janok, who garnered MEAC All-Rookie Team praise last year, has the reigning back-to-back MEAC Setter of the Week. Janok is filling up box scores consistently with averages of 8.57 assists, 2.98 digs, 1.12 kills, 0.64 blocks and 0.45 aces per set.
Seniors
Ammaarah Williams and
Arlanda Faulkner are both averaging over three points per set to pace NCCU's attack. Williams, a Preseason All-MEAC selection, is netting 2.85 kills per set with a .315 hitting percentage to go along with a team-best 0.90 blocks per set. Williams has led the Eagles in kills in all three MEAC victories. Faulkner is providing a team-high 2.93 kills per set.
Redshirt sophomore libero
Alyssa Pieh was recognized as the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. Pieh senior
Celene Morris are averaging 4.12 and 3.21 digs per set, respectively, top NCCU's back-row defense. Pieh ranks fourth in the MEAC in digs.
NCCU is 3-3 against DSU in the DI era and has won the last two meetings, including a 3-2 triumph in Durham in 2019. The Eagles are just 1-10 against Eastern Shore, but that one win was a 3-1 home conquest over the Hawks in their last meeting in 2019.
DELAWARE STATE COURT:
The Hornets have won 12 straight matches and are off to their best start in program history. Delaware State (16-1 Overall, 4-0 MEAC) is a perfect 9-0 at home.
Junior setter Malgorzata Andersohn, a transfer who played one season each at Stephen F. Austin University and Arkansas State University, is supplying 7.67 assists per set for a DSU attack that is hitting .255 on the season. Andersohn also ranks second nationally with 0.74 aces per set.
Sophomore Alondra Maldonado, a two-time MEAC Player of the Week this season, is second in the MEAC with 3.39 kills per set. Classmate Valeria Otero (2.82) and senior Kristi Gomez (2.44) each add over two kills per set. Sophomore Adriana Rodriguez, who is averaging 1.86 kills per set leads the MEAC and ranks 14th nationally with a .421 hitting percentage. Junior Sydney Lewis is DSU's top blocker with a league-best 1.13 blocks per set. Junior libero Jasmal Cruz is contributing 4.00 digs per set.
MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE COURT:
The Hawks have lost their last two matches, including a 3-0 loss at Delaware State last Friday. Maryland Eastern Shore (6-8 Overall, 1-2 MEAC) will host South Carolina State University on Friday before entertaining the Eagles on Sunday.
For a third straight season, senior middle blocker Mauri Carver ranks amongst the MEAC's best front-row defenders. Carver currently ranks second in the league with 1.00 blocks per set. She also is second in the MEAC with a .373 hitting percentage. Eastern Shore has a balanced attack that uses a two-setter system. The top-five Hawk hitters all average near two kills per set, with junior Derionah Abner (2.08) topping the group.
