NORFOLK, Va. — North Carolina Central University begins play in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Volleyball Championship at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 2, when the NCCU Eagles face Coppin State University in the tournament semifinals in Norfolk, Virginia.
MATCH INFO:
DATE: Friday, April 2 (7 p.m.)
LOCATION: Joseph Echols Hall - Norfolk, Va.
WATCH: Spartan Showcase Video Streaming
FOLLOW: Live Stats; @NCCUAthletics
NC CENTRAL COURT:
The Eagles are coming off a pair of 3-0 home victories against over South Carolina State University on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 23-24. NCCU (4-2 overall, 4-2 MEAC) clinched the No. 2 seed in the MEAC Southern Division and will play in the semifinals of the MEAC Volleyball Championship on Friday, April 2, in Norfolk, Virginia.
A trio of Eagles are averaging more than two kills per set, including junior
Arlanda Faulkner (2.58), senior
Jasmine Sanders (2.43) and junior
Ammaarah Williams (2.18).
Williams, who was announced on Wednesday as NCCU's first All-MEAC First Team selection since 2012, tops the Eagles with 3.41 points per set and is also averaging 1.00 blocks and 0.18 aces per set.
NCCU currently has the three individuals in the top four in hitting percentages in the MEAC. Senior
McKayla Young tops the group at .429. Williams follows closely at .426, while Fatimah Shabazz finished the regular season with a .382 hitting percentage.
The Eagles are hitting .306 as a team with freshman setter
Lauren Janok, a member of the MEAC All-Rookie Team, setting up NCCU's attack with 7.67 assists per set.
Defensively, freshman
Maria Almeida and senior libero
Yomaries Villegas top the maroon and gray with 2.75 and 2.67 digs per set, respectively.
COPPIN STATE COURT:
The Eagles of Coppin State (10-4 overall, 9-1 MEAC) have won their last eight matches this season to clinch the one-seed in the North.
Coppin State has three players that earned MEAC postseason awards, including Tim Walsh as MEAC Coach of the Year.
Kareemah Hopkins earned MEAC Setter of the Year after leading the MEAC with 9.42 assists per set, including nine matches with more than 30 assists.
Ashley Roman was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year as she topped the MEAC with 5.41 digs per set, ranking 21st in the nation. Roman recorded of 32 digs in a win at Delaware State.
Chudear Tut was voted MEAC Rookie of the Year after ranking third in the league in blocks this season (0.94 per set), as well as fifth in hitting percentage (.344) and seventh in kills (2.46 per set). She was also third in blocks in conference play, averaging 1.03 per set, and her .356 hitting percentage against MEAC foes was the fifth-best in the league.
SERIES:
NCCU and Coppin State are tied with four wins apiece since NCCU joined the DI ranks in 2007. The NCCU Eagles have lost their last two matches against Coppin State, falling 3-1 (25-17,19-25, 25-21, 25-22) and 3-2 (25-13, 9-25, 25-22, 24-26, 13-15).
