HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – North Carolina Central opened the volleyball season with two straight victories for the first time in six years at the Betty K. Austin Invitational on Friday.
The Eagles (2-0) defeated Florida A&M in four sets (16-25, 25-22, 25-18, 26-24) in the morning and bested Arkansas-Pine Bluff in three sets (25-20, 26-24, 25-17) in the afternoon. The last time NCCU won its first two matches of the season was in 2020 over South Carolina State during a COVID-shortened season. The first time the Eagles accomplished the feat during a full season as a Division I program was in 2007.
The Betty K. Austin Invitational features four MEAC teams competing against four SWAC teams in 12 matches during the weekend.
NCCU 3, FLORIDA A&M 1
After a sluggish start, North Carolina Central picked up steam and defeated Florida A&M for its second all-time victory over the Rattlers, who are favored to win the SWAC. The Eagles dropped the first set 16-25 but regrouped to win the next three 25-22, 25-18 and 26-24 over the two-time defending SWAC champions.
The Eagles won their fourth season opener as a Division I program. The triumph was their first over a non-conference opponent in a season opener since becoming a full MEAC member in 2011.
NCCU held off Florida A&M in the fourth set after building a 20-14 lead. The Rattlers scored seven straight points to slide ahead 21-20 and was one score away from forcing a fifth set at 24-23.
The Eagles regained the lead at 25-24 on a
Talia Emmen kill and a Florida A&M attack error.
Shalyn Bell and
Allyson Rouse then teamed up to block an attack to beat the Rattlers.
The Eagles, featuring 10 freshmen, two sophomores and no seniors, relied on a team effort to top Florida A&M. Emmen collected a team-high 12 kills and 13 digs and Bell added 11 kills, three blocks and nine digs.
Rouse had seven kills, a team-high eight blocks, nine digs and three aces and
Breylan Fairley finished with 20 assists and a team-high five aces.
Lusiana Damuni totaled 16 assists and
Jayla Egerton contributed 10 digs.
Florida A&M held a 46-41 advantage in kills but the Eagles produced 12 aces and 11 blocks.
HEAD COACH JONATHAN PAULK QUOTE ABOUT FAMU MATCH
"We started a bit tight early on but settled in during the second and third sets. Ally (Rouse) brought a lot of production for us in attacking, blocking and from the service line."
NCCU 3, ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 0
Coming of their big morning win over Florida A&M, the Eagles returned to the court in the afternoon and handled Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The first two sets were competitive but NCCU took charge late in both sets to build a 2-0 lead.
The Eagles scored four consecutive points for a 23-17 lead on the way to a first-set win. UAPB led 24-21 in the second set after a 9-0 run erased a six-point deficit but NCCU scored the last five points including two kills by Bell for the two-point victory.
NCCU cruised in the third set for its second win over a SWAC opponent on the day.
Rouse finished with team highs of 10 kills and three blocks for the Eagles, who led in kills 45-26. Emmen totaled seven kills and seven digs and Damuni registered 19 assists, six digs and three aces.
Tabitha Newlin tallied seven kills while Egerton led with nine digs. Fairley dished out 22 assists and totaled two aces.
NEXT MATCH
The Eagles face host Alabama A&M on Saturday, Aug. 29, in their final match of the Betty K. Austin Invitational. First serve is set for 11 a.m. eastern standard time.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
