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NCCU Lady Eagles repeat as CIAA Volleyball
Champs
November 5, 2005
DURHAM, NC- The North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles
swept the Virginia Union University Lady Panthers 3-0 (30-15,
30-18, 30-21) to repeat as CIAA Volleyball Champions Saturday
evening at McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium.
This was the second straight year the two teams met for the
volleyball crown and even though the result was the same the
two matches couldn't have been more different.
In 2004, the Lady Eagles won a hard fought five-game match.
On Saturday night, NCCU dominated from start to finish, led
by tournament MVP Brenda Brown's game-high 16 kills. NCCU held
the edge in kills, 46 to 34 and amassed a whopping 10 service
aces to only one for Virginia Union.
Defensively, the champions defended their home court totaling
10 assisted blocks as a team. The Lady Eagles were momentarily
down by five points in game three (17-12) until they rallied
scoring seven straight points to take the lead and a short
time later the match.
Virginia Union, who was paced by Gabriela Mokra with 14 kills
and 8 digs, finished the 2005 tournament with an overall record
of 20-11.
"It's awesome," said NCCU head coach Ingrid Wicker-McCree
about the Lady Eagles' repeat performance. "Staying healthy
was key. Playing five matches in two days takes its toll. Plus,
this is probably the deepest bench I have ever had."
Wicker-McCree described Brown's tournament play as "phenomenal," pointing
out that she did not come off the floor the entire weekend. "The
MVP honor is well-deserved," the head coach said. "She
really kept us in it."
Brown said she was not tired, saying "Passion Over Pain," the
Lady Eagles season motto. "We stayed focused at all times
and played as one," she added.
N.C. Central broke a volleyball attendance record as 823 took
in their championship victory. The Lady Eagles now stand at
29-13 overall and will receive an automatic bid to advance
to regional play.
2005 CIAA All-Tournament Team
| NAME, |
POSITION, |
INSTITUTION |
| Aurea Griffith, |
Outside Hitter, |
St. Augustine's |
| Tanika Hudgins, |
Outside Hitter, |
Elizabeth City State |
| Desirea Riddick, |
Middle Hitter, |
Johnson C. Smith |
| Jeanene Lewis, |
Setter, |
Virginia State |
| Danielle Johnson-Webb, |
Middle Hitter, |
N.C. Central |
| Gabriela Mokra, |
Outside Hitter, |
Virginia Union |
| Michaela Vanakova, |
Outside Hitter, |
Virginia Union |
| Crystal Huffman, |
Setter, |
Fayetteville State |
| Brenda Brown, |
Outside Hitter, |
N.C. Central |
2005 Tournament Most Valuable Player
Brenda Brown, Outside Hitter, N.C. Central
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