North Carolina Central University

VOLLEYBALL

     DURHAM, NC - When the North Carolina Central University women's volleyball team begins practice on Aug. 10, seven newcomers will join the Lady Eagles in their quest to repeat as Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Champions.
     Five transfers and two freshmen make up NCCU's 2005 recruiting class for head coach Ingrid Wicker-McCree, entering her 12th season at NCCU. Among the five transfers, three have won conference championships and participated in the NCAA regional playoffs, while another shined in the community college regional playoffs last year.
     Shatoya Cantrell, a 5-10 sophomore middle blocker from Nashville, Tenn. (Hunters Lane High School), is a transfer from Presbyterian College, where she saw a lot of action as a freshman and helped the Blue Hose win the conference championship and play in the first round of NCAA South Regionals.  "She has great fundamental skills and has competed in one of the strongest regions on the east coast," Wicker-McCree said.
     Nikki Moss, a 5-10 sophomore outside hitter from Anchorage, Alaska, is one of two transfers from Albany State University, where she competed on both volleyball and softball conference championship teams and participated in the 2004 NCAA South Central regional playoffs. "Nikki is a very talented student-athlete, who has excelled both on and off the court," Wicker-McCree said.  "She comes from a very strong junior Olympic background and will add tremendous power in both outside and right side positions."
     Shawanda Hill, a 5-11 sophomore middle hitter from Lakeland, Fla., is also a transfer from Albany State, where she won a league championship and attended the NCAA regionals as a freshman in 2003. "Shawanda has been off for one season and will work her way back into action this upcoming season," Wicker-McCree said. "She has great athletic ability and will add depth to the middle position."
     Tordra Sessions, a 5-8 junior outside hitter from Cypress Community College in Long Beach, Calif., led her team to the state championship tournament for the first time in school history. She amassed a team-best 27 kills to upset top-seeded El Camino College in the first round of the California Community College regional playoffs, then collected 25 kills in the team's second-round victory over Orange Coast College. "Tordra just recently completed her junior college season as MVP of her team," Wicker-McCree said. "She was heralded as one of the most powerful hitters and servers in her conference." 
     Jaria Atkins, a 5-8 sophomore setter and right side hitter, comes to the Lady Eagles from Wayne County Community College. "Jaria has worked hard during her year of residency and is ready to see the court," Wicker-McCree said. "She is a very athletic setter. Jaria has great control with the ball and is a very consistent jump server."
     Itumeleng Shadreck, a 5-6 freshman utility player out of East Chapel Hill High School, is expected to be a great addition to the Lady Eagle defense.  "'Tumi' is someone you always want on the court because she is a fierce competitor and has a relentless pursuit attitude," said Wicker-McCree.
     Ashley Shade, a 5-6 freshman setter from Freedom High School in Morganton, NC, comes to NCCU from one of the stellar volleyball programs in the western part of the state. "Ashley has great hands and great skills," Wicker-McCree said. "She is also very versatile and could also see playing time as a defensive specialist for the upcoming season."
     NCCU is coming off a 24-14 season, in which the team won the school's second CIAA Volleyball Championship and participated in the NCAA regional playoffs for the first time in school history. The Lady Eagles return five starters, including three First-Team All-CIAA honorees - senior middle hitter Danielle Johnson-Webb (Chapel Hill, NC), senior outside hitter Brenda Brown (Fayetteville, NC), and senior setter Ariel Germain (Detroit, Mich.).