DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University's volleyball team travels to Virginia and Washington D.C. this weekend as Norfolk State University (Friday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m.) and Howard University (Sunday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m.) host the Eagles. NCCU opened Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play against both teams earlier this season in September.
COMING UP:
Friday, Oct. 25 – 6 p.m.
NC Central at Norfolk State
Gill Gymnasium, Norfolk, Va.
Live Stats |
Sunday, Oct. 27 – 1 p.m.
NC Central at Howard
Burr Gymnasium, Washington, D.C.
Live Stats | ESPN+
NC CENTRAL COURT
NCCU (4-14 Overall, 2-5 MEAC) earned its second conference victory last weekend in its only match. The Eagles defeated South Carolina State University 3-0 at home. Kamren Harper (11 kills), Gabriela Felix-Baeza (14 digs), and Bella Dearinger (32 assists) all had match-highs.
The Eagles rank in the top 100 nationally in aces per set (69th – 1.71) and team attacks per set (67th – 36.09). NC Central is first in the MEAC in digs per set (14.56). Individually, Dearinger is second in the conference in assists per set (8.20) and Felix-Baeza is 71st in the nation in service aces (30).
Earlier this season, NCCU snapped a two-match losing streak to Norfolk State defeating the Spartans in five sets at home for a 14-5 winning record since 2007. During Howard's visit, the Bison increased their overall record to 14-0 against the Eagles in the Division I era.
NCCU Statistical Leaders – Per Set
KILLS: #13 Kamren Harper (2.99) and #36 Emmie Modlin (2.32)
ACES: #35 Gabriela Felix-Baeza (0.43)
ASSISTS: #1 Bella Dearinger (8.20)
DIGS: #35 Gabriela Felix-Baeza (3.26)
BLOCKS: #18 Kayden Cupid (0.69)
NORFOLK STATE COURT
Norfolk State (9-11 Overall, 3-4 MEAC) went 1-1 on the week winning at Hampton University 3-1 and falling at home to Howard in straight sets. Gabrielle Gilbert (18 kills), Lily Rose-Pichon (25 digs) and Sydney McCree (40 assists) all had match-highs against the Pirates.
The Spartans are 35th in the nation in aces per set (1.82), which is also second in the MEAC, and 74th in team service aces (124). Gilbert is ranked 39th nationally in aces per set (0.47) and 38th in kills per set (4.15), which is second in the conference in both categories.
NSU sits fourth in the MEAC tied with the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore. Besides the road loss to NCCU, Norfolk State has also fallen to Delaware State University, Coppin State University and Howard in the conference. The Spartans have victories over UMES, South Carolina State and Morgan State University.
NSU Statistical Leaders – Per Set
KILLS: #11 Gabrielle Gilbert (4.14) and #7 Alexa Harris (2.75)
ACES: #2 Jasmine Mataira (0.46) and #11 Gabrielle Gilbert (0.46)
ASSISTS: #1 Sydney McCree (8.39)
DIGS: #3 Lily Rose-Pichon (3.96)
BLOCKS: #6 Adlene Jideofor (0.76)
HOWARD COURT
Howard (14-5 Overall, 7-0 MEAC) extended an eight-match winning streak with triumphs over Norfolk State and the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. The Bison swept their Spartan rivals in Norfolk, Va. Rya McKinnon (14 kills) and Leah Reeves (40 assists) led HU on offense while Cimone Woodard and Dami Awojobi (four blocks each) and Claire Simpson (10 digs) spearheaded the defense for match-highs against NSU.
UMBC took Howard to five sets on Wednesday evening before the Bison secured the match after dropping the first two sets. McKinnon had a team-high 18 kills while Reeves gathered 50 assists.
Nationally, the Bison are 24th in aces per set (1.90) and 10th in opposing hitting percentage (0.145), leading the MEAC in both categories. McKinnon is 35th in the nation in attacks per set (11.16) and 15th in kills per set (4.53).
HU Statistical Leaders – Per Set
KILLS: #9 Rya McKinnon (4.53)
ACES: #28 Dami Awojobi (0.46) and #13 Leah Reeves (0.42)
ASSISTS: #13 Leah Reeves (7.34)
DIGS: #4 Claire Simpson (4.35)
BLOCKS: #17 Cimone Woodard (0.91)
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
