DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central is seeking to make a push in the second half of the MEAC volleyball season, starting this weekend with two home matches.
NCCU hosts Delaware State on Friday at 6 p.m. and Maryland Eastern Shore on Sunday at 1 p.m. at McDougald-McLendon Arena. A pair of victories would vault the Eagles up the MEAC standings. They are currently fifth at 3-4 in the conference.
With a roster featuring 10 freshmen and no seniors, the Eagles (5-14 overall) have shown plenty of potential throughout the season. NCCU ranks second in the MEAC in hitting percentage and assists and third in service aces and digs.
Junior
Talia Emmen and sophomore
Shalyn Bell lead the youthful Eagles. Emmen ranks third in the MEAC in kills per set while Bell is among the conference leaders in kills, digs and service aces.
The Eagles have also received strong contributions from
Morgan Wingo,
Aniah Bass and
Allyson Rouse at the net. Setter
Breylan Fairley is among the league leaders in assists and service aces.
NCCU will look to avenge a three-set road loss to Delaware State in its conference opener on Sept. 25. The Eagles have dropped three straight to the Hornets but pulled out a 3-2 win in their last meeting at McDougald-McLendon Arena in 2025.
Delaware State (4-3 MEAC, 13-8 overall) enters the weekend one spot ahead of the Eagles in the conference standings. The Hornets lead the series 16-5 since 2009 but the teams have split the last eight meetings in Durham during that span. Offensively, the Hornets' Aaliyah Mitchell ranks second in the MEAC in kills and Courtney Nix is among the MEAC leaders in digs and service aces.
Maryland Eastern Shore (1-6 MEAC, 2-16 overall) is seventh in the MEAC standings. The Hawks lead the series 17-6 since 2007 but the Eagles have claimed the past two matches including a 3-2 road win on Sept. 27.
In that match, Bell totaled 18 kills, 13 digs, seven service aces and three blocks. Jayda Hutchins of UMES finished with 18 kills and seven digs.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
