DURHAM, N.C. - The North Carolina Central University and Duke University volleyball teams held a community day event at the Boys & Girls Club in Durham on Sept. 6, prior to their historic matchup on Wednesday, Sept. 13 in McDougald-McLendon Arena. Admission is free. 

The hour-long event began with a facility tour directed by Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties CEO Jerome Levisy and director of resource development Andrew Borresen. After the tour, team members from the Blue Devils and Eagles conducted volleyball exercises around the gymnasium with club members and guided them through serving, setting, and hitting drills. 

Levisy spoke about the effect a collaborative event can have on a younger generation of scholars. "The Boys & Girls Club preaches the importance of community collaborations. Having two historic universities like Duke and North Carolina Central come together in partnership really shows our youth that we can do things together and still have fun competing."

The match on Sept. 13 will be the first time in 48 years that NCCU will host Duke in women's volleyball. Duke volleyball head coach Jolene Nagel emphasized the benefits of community partnerships. "Being able to reach out to the Boys & Girls Club and have our student-athletes visit the facility, meet the kids, and interact with them is a win-win for both sides."

During drills, the young members shared bonding moments by creating handshakes with the student-athletes, laughing, and asking questions. NCCU junior middle blocker Kennedy Clark (Charlotte, N.C.) spoke on what it means to be a role model on the court and in the classroom. "I see this as a bonding moment between us and the community. It's important to extend what I've learned over the years to them, whether they choose to go into volleyball or even into another sport." 

Clark was featured on the MEAC All-Academic Team and discussed the importance of sharing the balance of academics and athletics. "I highlight that we are students first before we are athletes as they will always be in school. I want the kids to understand that school is the most important thing for them right now. Athletics are going to be there for them, but the primary focus should always be academics."

The historic volleyball match between Durham's two Division I universities on Sept. 13 will serve as a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties. To make a donation, visit https://donorbox.org/vball-bgcdoc

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
 

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