The Green team defeated the Gold team 3-1 (19-25, 25-15, 25-16, 25-13) in the Spartans' Green and Gold preseason volleyball scrimmage on Saturday afternoon at Joseph Echols Hall.

Head coach Jennifer Fry was very pleased with what she saw in the scrimmage.

“Our ball control was a lot better than in previous practices,” Fry said. “We looked good on defense and I was very impressed with the level of play the ladies displayed today. There are a few things that we still have to work on, but we are mentally ready for the season.”

During the 90-minute match, the Spartans also focused on passing and blocking. Fry praised the play of freshman setter Nicole Kessner (Blacksburg, Va.), freshman outside hitter Paige Gary (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and junior setter Solange Honore (San Fernando, Trinidad). Both Kessner and Honore handled their setting duties very well, while Gary displayed a high level of athleticism and court awareness.

Junior college transfer Aurelia Isham (Lancaster, Tex.) was also a crowd favorite as she had several dominating blocks and kills for the Green team.

The Gold team got help from former NSU players Shea Kersey, Abaina Farrell, and Vanessa Faircloth. They joined returners Honore, senior Shardonay Blueford (Chesapeake, Va.) and some of the newcomers on the Gold squad, while senior Yolanda Roberts (Virginia Beach, Va.) led a group of freshmen on the Green team.

The Spartans opens their season on Friday when they play Winthrop in the Wake Forest Deacon Invitational at 4:30 p.m. NSU hosts Virginia State on Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. in its home opener.