North Carolina Central University

VOLLEYBALL

     HAMPTON, VA -- North Carolina Central University freshman outside hitter Porche' Williams was voted as the 2002 CIAA Women's Volleyball Rookie of the Year, topping a group of six Lady Eagles to receive conference recognition, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association announced Monday (Nov. 11).
     A native of Long Beach, CA, Williams ended the regular season with a team-high 491 kills and 99 service aces, and was second on the Lady Eagles with 265 digs. She ranks third in the conference with a 3.48 kills per game average, and is ninth in the league in service aces (0.70 per game). Williams was named CIAA Rookie of the Week six times during the 2002 campaign, and once received CIAA Player of the Week honors.
     Williams was joined on the CIAA All-Rookie Team by outside hitter Brenda Brown (Fayetteville, NC) and setter Ariel Germain (Detroit, MI). Brown recorded 160 kills (1.23 per game), 264 digs (2.03 per game), 57 blocks and 31 service aces. Germain tallied 478 assists (6.29 per game), 100 digs (1.32 per game), 44 kills, 29 blocks and 22 service aces. 
     Three other Lady Eagles were voted to the 2002 All-CIAA First Team - junior middle hitter Ayana Wright (Waverly, VA), junior setter Mandie Blackburn (Hickory, NC), and sophomore outside hitter Cherie Wilson (Niles, MI). Wright led NCCU with 123 blocks, was second on the team with 318 kills (2.26 per game), and third on the squad with 49 service aces. Blackburn ranks third in the CIAA with 917 assists (8.65 per game), while adding 219 digs (2.07 per game). Wilson tops the Lady Eagles and is seventh in the conference with 343 digs (2.70 per game), while also contributing 313 kills (2.46 per game), 60 blocks and 56 service aces.
     NCCU finished the regular season with record of 26-17 overall and 14-2 in conference play. 

Last Revised:  Nov. 5, 2002