DURHAM, N.C. - The North Carolina Central volleyball team will step out of conference and take on Gardner-Webb on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m. at Paul Porter Arena in Boiling Springs, N.C. The match is scheduled to stream on ESPN+.

This will be the second meeting between the two teams this season. In the previous encounter, NCCU fell 3-1 at home on Sept. 1. Gardner-Webb is one of five Big South Conference teams the Eagles have faced this year.

NCCU (5-13 overall) is coming off a 3-0 conference win over South Carolina State at home last Friday, its 23rd straight win over the Lady Bulldogs. Aniah Bass finished with nine kills and four blocks while Shalyn Bell added six kills, 16 digs and two service aces.

The Eagles are led offensively by Talia Emmen, Bass, Bell, Morgan Wingo, Allyson Rouse and setter Breylan Fairley. Emmen (3.36) and Bell (2.97) both rank among the MEAC's top five in kills per set while Wingo (.302) and Bass (.260) rank among the top seven in the conference in hitting percentage. 

Fairley ranks second in the MEAC in assists per set (7.30) and fifth in service aces (31). Defensively, Bell ranks seventh in digs per set (2.66). 

NCCU ranks second in the MEAC with a .199 hitting percentage. The Eagles will face a Gardner-Webb squad (13-8 overall) that ranks third in the Big South with 14.96 digs per set.

Peyton Sloane is the top hitter for the Runnin' Bulldogs, averaging 2.68 kills per set. Olivia Lefebvre averages 4.85 assists per set and Ella Moss tops Gardner-Webb with 2.79 digs per set. 

Gardner-Webb has won its last two matches, including a 3-2 home win over UNC Asheville on Saturday. Sarina Galyean recorded a team-high 15 kills and Aleina Manaois added 23 assists.

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