DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University volleyball team will make its 2022 home debut on Tuesday when the Eagles entertain non-conference rival North Carolina A&T State University inside McDougald-McLendon Arena on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
 
MATCH INFO

Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m., Free Admission
N.C. A&T at NC Central
Durham, N.C. (McDougald-McLendon Arena)
WATCH (FREE): NCCU Sports Network; LIVE STATS

NC CENTRAL VOLLEYBALL
 
The Eagles dropped their first three matches of the season at the Wake Forest Invitational this past weekend, falling to the host Demon Deacons, Kennesaw State and Western Carolina. NCCU (0-3) is coming off its most successful campaign in over a decade, which included a 6-2 record at home.
 
A trio of freshmen have jumped into NCCU's lineup and are leading the maroon and gray attack. Kamren Harper tops the Eagles with 2.33 kills per set while Tori Wilson and Emmie Modlin are chipping in 1.78 and 1.67 kills per set, respectively, through their first three collegiate matches.
 
Wilson is providing a team-best 0.89 blocks per set to join Harper with averages of over two points per set.
 
Sophomore Vanila Pulu-Suliafu has been NCCU's primary setter so far and is contributing 6.44 assists per set. Pulu-Suliafu also ranks second on the team with 2.44 digs per set.
 
Sophomore libero Loren Johnson is lifting up a team-best 3.33 digs per set.
 
NCCU is 15-16 against N.C. A&T at the DI level, including a 10-8 ledger at home.
 
N.C. A&T VOLLEYBALL
 
After dropping their season opener in five sets to Coppin State on Friday, N.C. A&T (2-1) finished off its opening weekend with two consecutive victories on Saturday at the Aggie-Spartan Invitational. The Aggies swept Bethune-Cookman before rallying for a 3-2 win over UNCG in the finale.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Naiya Sawtelle, who was an all-conference performer in the Big South Conference as a rookie last year, has come out swinging to begin her second season by leading the Aggies with 4.23 kills per set.
 
Freshman setter Chiara Napoli tops A&T with 4.92 assists and 0.62 aces per set. Other statistical leaders for the Aggies include sophomore middle blocker Madison Sanabria averaging 1.00 blocks per and the tandem of sophomore Hannah Howell and junior Morgan Allen each averaging 3.23 digs per set. Howell, who joined Sawtelle on the Big South All-Freshman Team last year, also ranks second on the team with 2.77 kills per set.
 
N.C. A&T – now member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) – has won 10 consecutive volleyball matches against the Eagles.