DURHAM, N.C. — The North Carolina Central University volleyball team will begin Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) competition by hosting Morgan State University (Friday, 6 p.m.) and Coppin State University (Sunday, 1 p.m.) inside McDougald-McLendon Arena on the weekend of Sept. 24-26.
 
MATCH INFO:

DATE: Fri., Sept. 24 vs. Morgan St. (6 PM)
DATE: Sun., Sept. 26 vs. Coppin St. (1 PM)
LOCATION: McDougald-McLendon Arena, Durham, N.C.
WATCH: NCCU Sports Network (Jailen Leach Play-by-Play)
FOLLOW: LIVE STATS; @NCCUAthletics
 
NOTE: Fans are encouraged to check NCCUEaglePride.com for schedule updates
 
NC CENTRAL COURT: 

 
The Eagles have lost their last seven matches leading into league play. NCCU (1-8 Overall, 0-0 MEAC), picked sixth in the MEAC Preseason Predicted Order of Finish Poll, has been .500 or better in conference play each of the last two seasons (7-7 in 2019-20 and 4-2 in 2020-21).
 
Senior middle blocker Ammaarah Williams is a Preseason All-MEAC selection and she is providing the Eagles with nearly three points per set. Williams ranks second in the league with 1.04 blocks per set while adding 2.18 kills per set on a .304 hitting percentage.
 
Sophomore setter Lauren Janok, who garnered MEAC All-Rookie Team praise last year, ranks third in the MEAC with 7.70 assists per set and eighth in the conference with 0.37 aces per set. Janok also ranks second on the team with 0.80 blocks per set and third on the team with 2.90 digs per set. She is coming off her fifth double-double of the season and she is still just one of 14 players to record a triple-double at the DI level this season.
 
Senior outside hitter Arlanda Faulkner tops NCCU with 2.67 kills per set. Junior Abby Vacha is chipping 1.93 kills per set after leading the maroon and gray in kills each of the last two matches.
 
Redshirt sophomore libero Alyssa Pieh and senior Celene Morris both rank in the top-10 of the MEAC in digs per set. Pieh is proving 4.17 digs per set and Morris follows closely at 3.33 digs per set.
 
NCCU is 0-3 against Morgan State in its DI era, last losing to the Bears in Baltimore, 3-1, on Oct. 4, 2019. The Eagles have seen Coppin State more regularly in recent years and is 4-5 against the other Eagles. CSU last eliminated NCCU from the 2020-21 MEAC Volleyball Championship with a 3-0 victory in the semifinals on April 2, 2021.
 
MORGAN STATE COURT: 
 
The Bears are coming off a 1-2 weekend at the UNH/Merrimack Tournament, defeating co-host Merrimack before falling to other co-host New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Morgan State (2-12 Overall, 0-0 MEAC) was picked tied for fourth in the MEAC Preseason Predicted Order of Finish Poll.
 
Freshman outside hitter Madison Grace has taken over the top attack position for the Bears and she ranks fourth in the MEAC with 3.02 kills per set. Junior setter Mackenzie Jefferson is setting up MSU attack with 6.54 assists per set while also leading the squad with 0.51 aces per set (third best in the MEAC). Junior libero Jadore Hayes is providing a team-best 3.75 digs per set.
 
COPPIN STATE COURT: 

The Eagles of Coppin State picked up a 3-1 win over UMBC in their last match to level their record heading into league play. CSU (6-6 Overall, 0-0 MEAC) is the favorites in the MEAC Preseason Predicted Order of Finish Poll and will play at South Carolina State University on Friday before playing NCCU on Sunday.
 
Three-time All-MEAC honoree senior outside hitter Miajavon Coleman sparks CSU's attack. Coleman leads the MEAC with 3.70 kills per set and her 12.73 attempts per set is top-10 nationally. Junior Paola Caten follows with 2.90 kills per set. Junior transfer setter Andrea Tsvetanova tops the conference with 8.59 assists per set in her first season at CSU, and she also leads the Eagles with 0.44 aces per set. Junior libero Ashley Roman is the MEAC Preseason Player of the Year after garnering MEAC Defensive Player of the Year laurels last season. Roman continues her dominance of the back row, leading the league and ranking 12th nationally with 5.30 digs per set.