Schedule/Results | Roster | News | Archives

Aug. 20, 2009

Durham, N.C. - Heading into their third year of competition as a Division I program, the North Carolina Central University Eagles are looking to prove themselves as a true competitor at the next level. With 11 student-athletes returning, the Eagles will rely on experience to take them far this season.

Last season, the Eagles finished with a disappointing 7-28 record after having one of their best campaigns in program history in 2007. NCCU looks to rebound and prove that they are a strong Division I contender. They will look to their two seniors Avaniki Campbell and Aqiyla Gomez for leadership this season.

With the loss of five starters, the Eagles will have to depend on several young players to step up and fill the shoes of those that have departed. Along with two seniors, this year's roster includes four juniors, six sophomores and six freshmen.

Georgette Crawford-Crooks, who is in her fourth season at the helm of the Eagles, will look to her young talent for answers. She will bring excitement and enthusiasm to this year's squad, with talented newcomers fighting for a chance to make an impact. Crawford-Crooks will look to her upperclassmen to mentor and guide the underclassmen in order to build a solid foundation.

This season, the Eagles hope to build a stronger offensive game with depth at the outside hitter position. At the setter position, the Eagles have to rely on their youth to contribute offensively after losing two setters from last season's team.

Along with a strong offense, NCCU hopes to improve on defense, where they look to develop a strong blocking game. With the departure of two middle hitters, the Eagles must fill the gaps with young talent. The Eagles will look to their younger student-athletes to help on defense after the departure of their starting libero.

Adjusting to the Division I pattern, the Eagles will face another challenging schedule this season. Five tournaments highlight the 2009 slate. With only five matches in the confines of McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium, the Eagles will have to adjust to being on the road for the majority of their matches. NCCU will face some tough Division I opponents this season, including ACC-member Virginia.

Going into this season, Crawford-Crooks welcomes the challenge of a difficult schedule and believes her team is ready to compete. With a solid nucleus returning to the hardwood, the Eagles have the foundation for a successful season and welcome the opportunity.

"We have a tough schedule ahead of us this season, but we are working hard and preparing for the competition," said Crawford-Crooks. "Many of this year's opponents were on our schedule last year, so we are familiar with their style of play. We will be able to match up with many of them and we are looking forward to the challenge."

Outside Hitters

The deepest spot on the volleyball court this season will be the outside hitter, where several young players will be vying for a spot in the starting rotation. Senior Avaniki Campbell will anchor the outside hitter position after leading the team on offense last season. A pair of juniors, Belinda Behncke-Biney and Shantel Moore, will assist Campbell on the outside, while six young hitters battle for an opportunity to make a difference.

Returning sophomores Alexis John and Maritsann Sinclair will be two of those six battling for action this season. A quartet of newcomers will also be in the mix as freshmen Nena Johnson, Aurora Baker, Elizabeth Rigg and Tocarra Jones add depth on the outside for the Eagles and allow for more possibilities at this position.

The right side of the offense will be controlled by some of the Eagles' youngest players. Moore, a dominant force on the outside for the Eagles, will seesaw between outside and right side for the Eagles, while sophomore Kiara Brown will assist on the right side when her duties at the setter position are not needed. Freshman Courtney Williams will more than likely take over the right side when Moore and Brown are tending to their main operations.

With nine outside hitters, the Eagles hope to offer more variety and options on the offensive side of the ball, while adding more strength at that position. With three options on the right side, the Eagles will open up a lot more possibilities, which will make them more dangerous on offense.

Middle Hitters

For this upcoming season, the Eagles hope to build a solid attack from their middle hitters and would like to develop a strong blocking game. The Eagles must look to their reserves this season. With two players standing at 6-0 or taller, the Eagles will have size and strength at the middle hitter position.

Senior Aqiyla Gomez will anchor the middle hitters this season after making a solid impact off the bench for the Eagles last season. Gomez is the only player remaining from the Eagles' 2006 CIAA Championship team. Assisting Gomez in the middle will be junior Ashley Griffin, who will compete for a spot in the starting rotation this season.

Setters

With the loss of a setter comes the breakdown of a solid offense. The Eagles lost their two dominant setters from last season and will need to continue their offensive dominance with a solid contributor at the setter position. Battling for the starting position will be junior Cara Hill and sophomore Kiara Brown.

Having a pair of experienced setters will allow the Eagles to develop a solid offense. Both players will be able to make an impact immediately and NCCU will be able to compete at the next level with veterans leading the offense.

Defensive Specialists

The key to winning matches is more than just playing offense. Teams have to be able to compete defensively and a huge part of any team's defensive game is the defensive specialist. NCCU enters this season with a number of options at this position, which will be an advantage for the Eagles going into this season.

A trio of student-athletes will have the opportunity to battle for the starting position. Anchoring the defense this season will be sophomore Raven King, who contributed significantly for the Eagles last season, while a pair of newcomers will look to make an immediate impact. Freshmen Tocarra Jones and Rakiya Sherry will battle for an opportunity to see action this season. The Eagles will be strong and quick on the defensive side of the net due to the addition of athleticism and speed.

Utilities

A team is never complete without those select individuals that make all the difference in the world. It is those individuals that can come in when you need them and can fill in at whatever position is necessary. Those players claim the utility position. This season, the Eagles have the pleasure of having two of those individuals in sophomores Tasha-Gaye Richards and Sashalee Wallen.

Wallen did not participate last season and will be a great addition to the Eagles this season, while Tasha-Gaye returns for another opportunity to make an impact. Both players will compete for action this season and will be looked to for assistance whenever necessary. The Eagles can count on them at any time.

Conclusion

With a variety of options and numerous possibilities at every position, the Eagles are headed for an exciting year. With 11 returnees and eight newcomers, one can only imagine the type of bond that the Eagles will have. A mixture of experience and a mixture of fresh ideas, the Eagles will be a new breed with a new opportunity. It is a new year and the Eagles hope it is one of their best and is an accurate look of what lies ahead.

The Eagles will open the 2009 season next weekend when they host the annual Hilton RTP/NCCU Volleyball Tournament in McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium. The tournament will take place Aug. 28-29 and will feature eight teams and 16 matches. NCCU will be joined by Elon, Georgia Sate, High Point, South Carolina State, The Citadel, UNC Asheville and UNC Wilmington.

For more information on Eagles Volleyball, visit the official website of NCCU Athletics at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.