DURHAM, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University volleyball team continues its non-conference slate with three matches against a trio of opponents picked to finish second in their respective conferences when the Eagles compete in the Fairfield Inn & Suites Dunn Campbell Invitational on Friday-Saturday, Sept. 3-4.
MATCH INFO:
DATE: Fri., Sept. 3 vs. Alabama State (3:30 PM)
DATE: Sat., Sept. 4 vs. James Madison (2 PM)
DATE: Sat., Sept. 4 at Campbell (6 PM)
LOCATION: Gore Arena/Pope Convocation Center, Buies Creek, N.C.
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NC CENTRAL COURT:
The Eagles were unable to hold onto an early lead in their season opener, falling 3-1 to North Carolina A&T on Tuesday.
Senior outside hitter
Arlanda Faulkner, who led NCCU in kills per set last season, posted a match-high 13 kills against the Aggies to start the campaign averaging 3.25 kills per set. Sophomore
Lauren Janok begins the season averaging 7.00 assists, 3.00 digs and 1.50 aces per set. Janok accounted for half of NCCU's 12 aces against N.C. A&T. Redshirt sophomore
Alyssa Pieh made her first appearance at the libero position on Tuesday and is averaging 4.0 digs per set. Seniors
Ammaarah Williams and McKayla Williams are both tallying 1.0 blocks per set after one match.
NCCU (0-1) is 2-4 against Alabama State, 0-2 versus James Madison and 1-16 against Campbell in the program's modern era (since 2007-08).
ALABAMA STATE COURT:
The Hornets dropped their first three matches at the Gamecock Classic hosted by Jacksonville State University last weekend. Alabama State (0-3) is the four-time defending SWAC Tournament champions and the Hornets are picked second in the preseason SWAC poll. ASU will play James Madison on Friday at 11 a.m. before battling the Eagles at 3:30 p.m.
Sophomore A'Nylah Cobb is one of a dozen newcomers on the Alabama State roster and she is averaging a team-best 2.80 digs and 2.60 kills per set in her first season. Junior Kalysia Bates, a transfer from Morgan State where she averaged 2.51 kills per set, is second on the team with 2.30 points per set.
JAMES MADISON COURT:
The Dukes won two of three matches at their own invitational last weekend, defeating High Point (3-2) and Illinois State (3-1) around a loss to VCU (3-0). James Madison (2-1) – picked second in the preseason CAA poll – will play both Alabama State and Campbell before concluding play in this weekend's tourney against NCCU on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.
Redshirt sophomore Julia de Sa, a transfer from Florida Southwestern State College, is leading the Dukes with 3.58 kills per set. Junior Sophia Davis, a two-time All-CAA First Team honoree, continues her strong play for JMU with an average of 3.25 kills per set. Sophomore Miette Veldman, who is the reigning CAA Rookie of the Year, joins Davis as a preseason All-CAA selection, but has yet to play this season. Junior Caroline Dozier (10.71 assists/set) and senior Rebecca Frye (9.00 assists/set) are orchestrating the Dukes attack while senior Savannah Marshall leads the squad with 4.75 digs per set. Sophomore Savanah Cockrill has only played in five sets so far, but has a team-high eight blocks for an average of 1.60 blocks per set.
CAMPBELL COURT:
The host Camels return home from the west coast after dropping a trio of matches at the Trojan Invitational hosted by USC over the weekend. Campbell (0-3) – slated second in the Big South Conference – lost to Cal State Northridge (3-2), Southern California (3-0) and Denver (3-0).
Junior Lailah Green, a First Team All-Big South selection last year, leads the Camels with 2.18 kills per set. Sophomore Chloe Cook, the reigning Big South Freshman of the Year, leads Campbell with 2.55 points per set, which includes 1.82 kills, 0.73 blocks and 0.36 aces per set. Sophomore libero Claranna Fechter joins Green as a preseason all-conference honoree and she is averaging 3.73 digs per set. Junior Melody Paige is netting 1.36 kills and 1.18 blocks per set as a third Camel averaging over two points per set.
