ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Chantel Cherry (Portsmouth, Va.) had a double-double of 10 kills and 13 digs and the Norfolk State volleyball team defeated South Carolina State 3-0 (30-24, 30-23, 30-24) on Wednesday night at Dukes Gymnasium.

With the win, the Spartans improve to 5-19 overall and 2-2 in the MEAC. The Lady Bulldogs fall to 7-6, 1-3.

In game 1, the Spartans jumped out to a 2-0 lead after two Lady Bulldog attack errors. NSU went up 15-9 on an error by Jarnea Gleaton and a service ace by Yolanda Roberts (Virginia Beach, Va.) sealed the 30-23 win.

The Lady Bulldogs got a quick kill from Linnie Garrett to start the second game, but Cherry countered with a kill of her own to tie the game at 1-1. The Spartans took the lead on a kill by Shardonay Blueford (Chesapeake, Va.) and led by as many as 13 (21-8) at one point. The 30-23 win came on a kill by Cherry.
Game 3 was much closer along the way, but the Lady Bulldogs fell apart toward the end. An attack error by Heather Quinn (Conyers, Ga.) tied the game at 20-all, but the Spartans rallied and held SCSU to just three more points thereafter.

NSU played well all around, especially on defense, as the team recorded season-highs in block assists (23) and total blocks (14.5).

Gleaton led the Lady Bulldogs with nine kills and Monique Walker led the SCSU defense with 11 digs.

For the Spartans, Quinn hit .412 with nine kills and 4.5 blocks (two solo). Cherry also had 2.5 blocks (one solo), an ace, and an assist, while Roberts had 12 digs and two aces.

Abaina Farrell (Charlotte Amalie, U.S.V.I.) had a season-high 17 kills and one kill and Vanessa Faircloth (Lumberton, N.C.) had six kills, 2.5 blocks, and a match-high four aces. Solange Honore (San Fernando, Trinidad) had a match-high 35 assists and hit .300 with six kills and four digs.

The Spartans return home for a 1 p.m. matchup with Florida A&M on Sunday.