NCCU takes a road trip to Norfolk State and Howard

DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University volleyball team travels to Virginia and Washington DC this weekend as Norfolk State University (Friday, October 25, 6 p.m.) and Howard University (Sunday, October 27, 1 p.m.) host the Eagles. NCCU opened Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play against both teams earlier in the season in September.

COMES:

Friday, Oct. 25 – 6 p.m

NC Central at Norfolk State

Gill High School, Norfolk, Virginia.

Live statistics |

Sunday, Oct. 27 – 1 p.m

NC Central at Howard

Burr High School, Washington, DC

Live statistics | ESPN+

NC Central Court

NCCU (4-14 overall, 2-5 MEAC) earned its second conference win in its only game last weekend. The Eagles defeated South Carolina State University 3-0 at home. Kamren Harper (11 kills), Gabriela Felix Baeza (14 excavations) and Bella Dearinger (32 assists) were all match highs.

The Eagles rank in the top 100 nationally in aces per set (69).^Th – 1.71) and team attacks per set (67).^Th – 36.09). NC Central ranks first in the MEAC in digs per set (14.56). Individually, Dearinger is second in the conference in assists per set (8.20) and Felix-Baeza is at 71^st in the nation in service aces (30).

Earlier this season, NCCU ended a two-game losing streak against Norfolk State and defeated the Spartans at home in five sets, for a 14-5 winning record since 2007. During Howard's visit, the Bison increased their overall record to 14-0 against the Eagles in the Division I era.

NCCU Stats Guide – per set

KILLS: #13 Kamren Harper (2.99) and #36 Emmie Modlin (2.32)

ACES: #35 Gabriela Felix Baeza (0.43)

SUPPORTED: #1 Bella Dearinger (8.20)

DIGS: #35 Gabriela Felix Baeza (3.26)

BLOCKS: #18 Kayden Amor (0.69)

NORFOLK STATE COURT

Norfolk State (9-11 overall, 3-4 MEAC) went 1-1 this week, winning 3-1 at Hampton University and falling to Howard at home in straight sets. Gabrielle Gilbert (18 kills), Lily Rose-Pichon (25 digs) and Sydney McCree (40 assists) all had top performances against the Pirates.

The Spartans are 35^Th in the nation in aces per set (1.82), which is also second in the MEAC, and 74th^Th in the Service Aces team (124). Gilbert is ranked 39th^Th nationwide in aces per set (0.47) and 38^Th in kills per set (4.15), which is second in the conference in both categories.

NSU is ranked fourth in the MEAC, tied with the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore. In addition to the road loss to NCCU, Norfolk State also lost in the conference to Delaware State University, Coppin State University and Howard. The Spartans have victories over UMES, South Carolina State and Morgan State University.

NSU Stats Guide – per set

KILLS: #11 Gabrielle Gilbert (4.14) and #7 Alexa Harris (2.75)

ACES: #2 Jasmine Mataira (0.46) and #11 Gabrielle Gilbert (0.46)

SUPPORTED: #1 Sydney McCree (8.39)

DIGS: #3 Lily Rose-Pichon (3.96)

BLOCKS: #6 Adlene Jideofor (0.76)

HOWARD COURT

Howard (14-5 overall, 7-0 MEAC) extended its eight-game winning streak with triumphs over Norfolk State and the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. The Bison defeated their Spartan rivals in Norfolk, Virginia. Rya McKinnon (14 kills) and Leah Reeves (40 assists) led HU on offense, while Cimone Woodard and Dami Awojobi (four blocks each) and Claire Simpson (10 digs) led the defense in match highlights against NSU.

UMBC took Howard to five sets on Wednesday night before the Bison clinched the match after losing the first two sets. McKinnon tallied 18 kills, a team-high, while Reeves collected 50 assists.

There are 24 bison nationwide^Th in aces per set (1.90) and 10^Th in opponent hitting percentage (.145) and leads the MEAC in both categories. McKinnon is 35^Th in the nation in attacks per set (11.16) and 15^Th in kills per set (4.53).

HU statistics guide – per set

KILLS: #9 Rya McKinnon (4.53)

ACES: #28 Dami Awojobi (0.46) and #13 Leah Reeves (0.42)

SUPPORTED: #13 Leah Reeves (7.34)

DIGS: #4 Claire Simpson (4.35)

BLOCKS: #17 Cimone Woodard (0.91)

For more information about NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.