North Carolina Central University

VOLLEYBALL

     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