DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central enters a three-match volleyball road stretch this week, starting with a non-conference battle against Gardner-Webb in Boiling Springs, N.C. on Tuesday (Oct. 21) at 6 p.m. NCCU begins the trip on a two-match win streak.
 
The Eagles then resume MEAC play this weekend. They visit Delaware State in Dover, Del., on Friday (Oct. 24) at 6 p.m. and Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md., on Sunday (Oct. 26) at 1 p.m.
 
RECORDS
NCCU – 3-4 in the MEAC and 6-13 overall
Gardner-Webb – 8-14 overall
Delaware State – 3-4 in the MEAC and 7-14 overall
Maryland Eastern Shore – 4-3 in the MEAC and 7-13 overall

NCCU vs. GARDNER-WEBB

• This will be the Eagles' last non-conference match this season.
• The match will be livestreamed on ESPN+.
• NCCU defeated Gardner-Webb 3-0 at home in their first meeting this season on Sept. 2. The scores were 25-23, 27-25, 25-17.
• Kamren Harper collected 18 kills and Leanna Beaty added nine kills and nine digs against Gardner-Webb in the previous match. Manuela Cripa Nasser tallied 37 assists and Loren Johnson and Neira Joldic finished with 17 digs and 12 digs, respectively. Jenelle Mason had eight digs and amassed five total blocks and Gabriela Felix-Baeza contributed five service aces.
• The Eagles are 2-12 in the season series since 2006.
• Gardner-Webb has lost its last five matches.

NCCU vs. DELAWARE STATE

• The second half of the Eagles' MEAC schedule begins Friday at Delaware State.
• In their last meeting, the Eagles beat Delaware State in a 3-2 home thriller on Sept. 26. The scores were 19-25, 25-21, 25-18, 24-26, 19-17.
• Harper totaled 21 kills and 18 digs in the five-set match. Beaty added 12 kills and Mason had 10 kills. Both players each posted a team-high five total blocks. Cripa Nasser distributed 51 assists and Johnson and Joldic finished with 21 digs and 16 digs, respectively. Johnson added three service aces.
• The Eagles are 5-13 in the season series since 2009.
• The Hornets lead the MEAC in fewest opponent kills (11.20 per set).
• Gerren Tomlin of DSU is fifth in the MEAC in kills per set (3.55) and points per set (3.88).

NCCU vs. UMES

• The match will be livestreamed on the Delmarva Sports Network.
• The previous time they clashed, the Eagles nearly rallied from a 0-2 deficit before falling at home in a five-setter on Sept. 28. The scores were 18-25, 15-25, 25-15, 25-21, 9-15.
• Harper led the Eagles with 16 kills and Mason added 11 kills versus UMES. Tayah Little finished with 10 kills, three service aces and two total blocks. Cripa Nasser dished out a season-high 53 assists and Joldic and Johnson totaled 14 digs and 13 digs, respectively.
• The Eagles are 4-17 in the season series since 2007 and have lost the last three straight matches to UMES.
• UMES is on a three-match losing streak entering this weekend.
• Valeria Matias of UMES ranks second in the MEAC in digs per set (3.97).

ABOUT NCCU

• NCCU has beaten three non-conference opponents, which is the most in a season by an Eagles' team since becoming a full MEAC member in 2011.
• The Eagles are one win away from tying last year's victory total.
• The Eagles are second in the MEAC in digs per set (14.73) and third in kills per set (11.51) and assists per set (10.58).
• Harper is 49 digs away from reaching 500 digs in her four-year career. Her 1,023 career kills are the most by an NCCU player in the Division I era.
• Harper is second in the MEAC in kills per set (3.82) and fourth in points per set (4.13).
• Cripa Nasser ranks second in the MEAC in assists per set (9.19).
• Allyson Rouse (.295) and Beaty (.259) are fifth and sixth, respectively, in attack percentage in the MEAC.
• Johnson ranks third in the MEAC in digs per set (3.74) and tied for sixth in service aces per set (0.39).

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.