This Weekend
Friday: NSU vs. Hampton, 7 p.m., Joseph Echols Hall
Sunday: NSU vs. Coppin State, 3 p.m., Joseph Echols Hall
Live Stats | Live Video

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State volleyball team will open up MEAC play at home this weekend, beginning first with rival Hampton on Friday in a "Pack the House" matchup.

The first Battle of the Bay this year will take place at Joseph Echols Hall at 7 p.m. The match is designated as "Pack the House" in an effort to fill the lower sections of the arena for NSU's chief rival. There will be contests and giveaways throughout the match with entertainment provided by DJ Vince.

The Spartan volleyball program will also host Coppin State at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Echols Hall to close out the weekend.

NSU will offer free live stats for both matches as well as a live video feed. Cost of the video feed is $5 for a single match.

The Pirates enter the weekend with a 6-7 overall record, including a win over William & Mary, 3-2, on Tuesday at HU's Holland Hall. Coppin State owns a 3-11 record, with wins over both St. Francis schools and Loyola (Md.). NSU stands 4-10 after dropping all three contests at the Villanova Classic last weekend.

Scouting the Spartans
NSU has been led for most of the year by senior Goda Jankauskaite (2.55 kills per set) and sophomore Jessica Johnson (2.45). Sophomore Janay Frazier has stepped up recently, as she averages 1.88 kills. Also chipping in at various times this year has been freshman Tori Tulensru (1.97 kills), sophomore Angie Darcus (1.57) and senior Coralie Jarema (1.49).

Jarema, junior Adriana Ramos and sophomore Darcy Moore are tied for the team lead with 14 service aces. Moore has handed out 8.96 assists per set, a mark that is currently better than any previous NSU setter has ever done.

Redshirt junior Noelle Eagles leads the defensive side of the ball with 3.64 digs, with Moore second on the team with 2.18. Jarema and Jankauskaite average 0.51 and 0.49 blocks per set, respectively. As a team, NSU averages just 1.32 blocks, compared to 2.17 for opponents.

Common Opponents
Hampton and Norfolk State have played two common opponents this year. They both lost to West Virginia, 3-2 for Hampton and 3-0 for NSU, while the Pirates downed William & Mary 3-2 at home after the Spartans came up short at W&M's home arena, 3-0. Both Coppin State and NSU have played Loyola (Md.), with the Eagles winning 3-0 and the Spartans dropping a 3-2 match after rallying from a 0-2 deficit.

MEAC Rankings
Moore continues to rank third in the MEAC in assists, while Eagles stands sixth in digs. Jankauskaite ranks ninth in hitting percentage (.223) and 10th in kills as well.

As a team, NSU ranks second in service aces (1.60), third in assists (10.36) and kills (10.82), fourth in opponent hitting percentage (.221), fifth in hitting percentage (.123), sixth in digs (12.76) and 11th in blocks (1.32)

About Hampton
It's been all Vendula Strakova for the Hampton offense, as she ranks in the top 3 in the nation in kills at 5.54 per set. She has also contributed 0.50 service aces. The next closest player in kills on the team is Krista Kraskura at 2.35. Bibiany Fonseca leads the MEAC with 10.17 assists per set.

Strakova also leads the team in digs with 3.12, with Kraskura second at 2.71. Marija Kocevska paces the way at the net with 0.90 blocks per set. Hampton averages almost one kill more per set than its opponents, although opponents also average a little better than 2.30 blocks.

About Coppin State
Cindy Okpegbue has been the offensive leader for the Eagles, tallying 3.09 kills per set. Ariel Richard ranks second with 2.40 kills, while Chelsee Sauni has handed out 8.51 assists as well. Coppin State also averages less than one service ace per set.

Defensively, Gabrielle Otero leads the MEAC with 4.73 digs, while the next closest teammate is Sauni at 1.76. Kendra Ireigbe leads the way up front with 0.80 blocks per set.

Up Next
Norfolk State will stay at home for the next conference match against Morgan State at 7 p.m. next Thursday at Echols Hall.