DURHAM, N.C. – Two MEAC home volleyball matches are on tap for North Carolina Central this weekend.

The Eagles will host Howard at 6 p.m. on Friday and Norfolk State at 1 p.m. on Sunday inside McDougald-McLendon Arena. Both matches will be broadcast on the MEAC Network.

Both matches carry implications for the Eagles (7-16 overall), who are tied for fifth with Norfolk State (9-15) at 5-6 with two weeks left in the regular season. Howard (8-15) shares third with Morgan State at 7-4 in the league standings.

NCCU is searching for its first Division I victory over Howard and its first win in three meetings against Norfolk State. The Eagles challenged the Bison in the 2023 and 2025 matchups, pushing the match to five sets before falling. They enjoyed better success at home against the Spartans, winning the last two matches at McDougald-McLendon Arena.

This weekend will feature three of the MEAC's top hitting teams. Norfolk State ranks second in hitting percentage followed by NCCU. Howard is second in kills while Norfolk State and NCCU rank first and third, respectively, in service aces.

Three of the conference's best hitters will also be on display. Talia Emmen of NCCU ranks third in kills while Gabrielle Gilbert of Norfolk State leads the MEAC in kills. Addison Buckner of Howard ranks fourth as all three players average over 3.00 kills per game.

NCCU is looking to avenge previous road losses against both teams. The Eagles lost to Norfolk State 3-2 on Oct. 8 before falling to Howard 3-1 on Oct. 9.

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