DURHAM, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University volleyball team will begin its shifted 2020-21 season with a pair of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Southern Division matches in Dukes Gymnasium against host South Carolina State University on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 11-12.
MATCH INFO:
DATE: Thurs., Feb. 11 (6 PM) & Fri., Feb. 12 (1 PM)
LOCATION: Dukes Gymnasium, Orangeburg, S.C.
TICKETS: NO fans allowed
WATCH: No video provided
FOLLOW: No live stats;
@NCCUAthletics
MEAC UPDATE:
With Bethune-Cookman University and Florida A&M University opting out of the shifted fall-to-spring volleyball season, Norfolk State University has been moved into the Southern Division with NCCU, South Carolina St. and North Carolina A&T State University. Each Southern Division program will play the other three teams four times (two home, two away), with the top two teams then advancing to the MEAC Championship tournament semifinals in Norfolk, Virginia.
NC CENTRAL COURT:
The Eagles are beginning their fifth season under head coach
Jody Brown. NCCU finished last season at 8-24 overall, including a 7-7 record in MEAC play. The eight wins on the season are the most since 2012 and the seven league triumphs are the most since joining the conference in 2011.
NCCU returns a dozen players, including its top six hitters in regards to kills per set. Senior
Christine Alcox and junior
Arlanda Faulkner top that group of attackers with 2.49 and 2.31 kills per set, respectively.
Among those front row players are couple of middle blockers who led the Eagles in blocking. Junior
Ammaarah Williams was named NCCSIA All-State after averaging ranking fifth in the MEAC with a .304 hitting percentage, while also averaging with 1.55 kills/set, 0.72 blocks/set and 0.29 aces/set. Senior
McKayla Young led NCCU with 0.81 blocks/set, while also supplying 1.56 kills/set.
The maroon and gray also returns its top setter from last season in junior
Celene Morris (8.17 assists/set) and top libero in senior
Yomaries Villegas (3.72 digs/set). Sophomore
Alyssa Pieh is NCCU's top returning server after averaging 0.41 aces per set as a rookie.
The Eagles have added four newcomers since the 2019 season, including one transfer and three freshmen.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE COURT:
The Bulldogs went winless in 2019, going 0-29 overall and 0-14 in the MEAC.
However, S.C. State is under the direction of new head coach Dawn Barnes and she has assembled a nearly completely new roster of six transfers, one freshman and just one returning letter winner.
Junior outside hitter Asha Robinson played two seasons for the Lady Bulldogs and has averaged 0.56 kills per set in 42 career matches.
Noteworthy stats for the transfers include outside hitter Jessica Beanard with 4.25 digs/set, 1.61 kills/set and 0.43 aces/set at Louisburg College; defensive specialist Kaylee Rose with 1.38 digs/set and 1.25 kills/set at Andrews College; middle blocker Maya Rembert with 1.02 kills/set and 0.66 blocks/set at Andrews College; and sophomore Chelsea Cole with 1.25 digs/set at Newberry College.
SERIES:
NCCU has won eight straight matches against South Carolina St. to take a 16-9 series lead over the Lady Bulldogs since joining the DI ranks in 2007.
