North Carolina Central University

VOLLEYBALL

     RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina Central University juniors Shari Matthews and Kai Wright were selected to the inaugural North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) College Division All-State Volleyball Team released Friday (Dec. 15). 
     Matthews (Bridgetown, Barbados) earned NCCSIA All-State First Team honors as an outside hitter, while Wright (Old Harbour, Jamaica) claimed All-State Second Team recognition as a right-side hitter.
     Matthews led the nation with an average of 6.37 kills and 0.92 service aces per game, and broke the NCAA Division II record for kills in a season with 974.
     Wright ranked fifth in the CIAA in digs with 401 and placed third on the team with 270 kills and 69 service aces. She had her best overall outing in the NCAA regional playoffs with 11 kills and 19 digs at region champion Lock Haven University (Nov. 9).
     The squad consists of students from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA colleges and universities throughout the state. North Carolina sports information professionals submitted nominees and NCCSIA members selected the teams. The all-state unit consists of one setter, two outside hitters, two middle hitters/blockers, one right-side/opposite hitter and one libero/defensive specialist.
     Founded in 2002, NCCSIA is comprised of sports information professionals from NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and independent institutions from the state of North Carolina. The organization seeks to promote collegiate athletics and student-athletes at all schools. Membership is open to anyone affiliated with a college, university or conference located in North Carolina, and whose area of responsibility lies within sports information.
     NCSSIA selects all-state teams for men's and women's soccer, volleyball, men's and women's basketball, softball and baseball on the College (Division II, III, NAIA) and University (Division I) levels. More than 400 student-athletes have been recognized on all-state teams since 2003.
     NCCSIA's all-state soccer teams were released earlier this week. The organization will release its fourth annual all-state men's and women's basketball squads in March.
 

Shari Matthews

Kai Wright