DURHAM, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University volleyball team earned the fourth seed in the 2021 MEAC Volleyball Championship hosted by Howard University and will play fifth-seeded University of Maryland Eastern Shore in the quarterfinals on Friday at 2 p.m.
MATCH INFO:
BRACKET
TOURNAMENT WEBSITE
DATE: Fri., Nov. 18, #5 Eastern Shore vs. #4 NC Central, 2 p.m.
LOCATION: Burr Gymnasium, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
FOLLOW:
WATCH;
LIVE STATS;
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If advance…
SEMIFINALS: vs. TBD, Sat., Nov. 19, 5 p.m.;
WATCH;
LIVE STATS
CHAMPIONSHIP: vs. TBD, Sun., Nov. 20, 8 p.m.,
ESPNU;
LIVE STATS
NOTE: Fans are encouraged to check
NCCUEaglePride.com for schedule updates
NC CENTRAL COURT:
After sweeping South Carolina State in their last regular season match, the Eagles will head into postseason victors of two straight matches and four of their last five contests. NCCU (10-13 Overall, 9-5) DI MEAC era records for overall and league wins (since 2011-12). The Eagles, who tied for third in the league standings with Coppin State after being picked sixth in the preseason, will be the No. 4 seed.
Sophomore setter
Lauren Janok was named MEAC Setter of the Year after pacing the conference with 8.73 assists per set. She also ranked in the top-10 of the MEAC with 0.35 assists per set (8th) and 2.78 digs per set (10th). Janok notched a double-double in majority of NCCU's matches. Her 12 double-doubles also included the MEAC's only triple-triple of the season on the way to earning five MEAC Setter of the Week awards throughout the season.
Senior middle blocker/outside hitter
Ammaarah Williams joined Janok as an All-MEAC First Team selection. Williams collected All-MEAC First Team attention for a second straight season after leading the Eagles with 3.75 points per set, including 4.17 points per set against conference competition. She enters postseason play ranked among the league leaders in three statistical categories. She ranks fourth in the MEAC with 0.98 blocks per set, sixth in the MEAC with 3.04 kills per set and sixth in the MEAC with a .308 hitting percentage.
Senior outside hitter
Arlanda Faulkner was a third Eagle to collect postseason awards. Two days after obtaining All-MEAC Second Team recognition, Faulkner was announced as the only MEAC honoree as a 2021 Academic All-District® Team award winner. Faulkner finished the regular season leading the maroon and gray with 3.07 kills per set. It is the second straight season she has led NCCU's attack.
NCCU is 2-11 against Eastern Shore in the DI era, but is 1-1 against the Hawks this season. The Eagles were swept in Princess Anne, Maryland, with that being the only match the MEAC Setter of the Year missed all season due to injury. NCCU avenged that loss with a 3-1 triumph in Durham three weeks later, which included a double-double by Janok (33 assists, 15 digs), 18 kills by Faulkner and Williams filling up the box score with eight kills and seven blocks.
MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE COURT:
The Hawks have lost three of their last four matches heading into postseason and ended the regular season with a 3-1 home loss to MEAC regular season co-champion Delaware State. Maryland Eastern Shore (12-13 Overall, 7-7 MEAC) is the fifth seed
For a third straight season, senior middle blocker Mauri Carver ranks amongst the MEAC's best front-row defenders. Carver enters postseason play leading the league with 1.14 blocks per set. She also is seventh in the MEAC with a .290 hitting percentage. Eastern Shore has a balanced attack that uses a two-setter system. The top-thre Hawk hitters all averaging right around two kills per set, including sophomore Maya Hendricks (2.20), sophomore Marina Cruz (2.07) and Derionah Abner (2.02).
Freshman Charlize Williams was named to the MEAC All-Rookie Team after averaging 1.25 kills per set with a .293 hitting percentage. She also ranked second in the league behind Carver with 1.03 blocks per set as the Hawks top the conference with an average of 2.27 blocks per set.
Cruz has had double-digit kills in both matches against NCCU this season.
