Campbell InvitationalNORFOLK, Va. – Coming out of a weekend where the Norfolk State volleyball team had opportunities to take all three matches, the Spartans will look to gain their first win of the season this Friday and Saturday in the Campbell Invitational in Buies Creek, N.C.
The Spartans will take on Sacramento State on Friday at 4:30 p.m., followed by Saturday afternoon matchups against host Campbell at 12:30 and UNC Wilmington at 4:30. Campbell's website will
host live stats for each of NSU's three contests. The links are different for each match.
The Spartans dropped all three matches last weekend to start the year to fall to 0-3 overall. UNC Wilmington comes into the tournament with the most momentum after defeating Clemson, Appalachian State and Charleston Southern in a tournament at Clemson.
Sacramento State (3-1) and Campbell (2-2) also have picked up wins during the first week of the season.
The Spartans, who were down to nine active players in Saturday's matches, were led by senior
Angie Darcus, who averaged 3.69 kills and 2.92 digs per set. Sophomore
Clarke Tyler (2.08 kills per set) as well as senior
Janay Frazier and junior
Dominique Parker (17 total kills each) also provided offense.
NSU did its best work on the defensive side, as Darcus was joined by senior setter
Darcy Moore (3.85 digs), junior libero
Alex Irizarry (3.23), junior hitter
Sydney Dailey (2.33) and Frazier (2.20) in averaging at least two digs per set over the weekend.
Last Time OutNSU started off slow against both La Salle and host William & Mary but gave both teams a run for their money in losses last weekend in the Tribe Invitational. The Spartans fell 3-2 to La Salle on Friday to open the tournament, as NSU won the second and third sets before also falling in the fifth and final set, 16-14.
On Saturday evening, the Tribe easily took the first set before NSU won the second, 25-23. William & Mary had to battle back to win the next two sets by identical 25-23 scores for a 3-1 win.
In an early Saturday afternoon matchup, NSU won the first set over Gardner-Webb before the Bulldogs came back to win 3-1.
Darcus Named All-TournamentAngie Darcus finished with 48 total kills to lead NSU in last week's tournament at William & Mary. She totaled 18 kills against La Salle and 15 digs versus Gardner-Webb, both career highs. For her efforts, she earned a spot on the all-tournament team.
Moore Moves UpWith 50 digs last weekend,
Darcy Moore moved past three players into ninth place all-time at NSU. She currently has 598 career digs and needs 35 more to move into eighth place.
Series HistoryThe Spartans have dropped all four meetings with Campbell, including the last one in 2011 by a 3-0 score at the High Point Invitational. NSU has also fallen in three all-time matchups with UNC Wilmington, including last year in the East Carolina Invitational, 3-0.
The Spartans have never faced Sacramento State.
About the CompetitionCampbell has used a balanced attack so far, with six different players tallying between 18 and 28 kills on the year. Jennifer Tait (2.55 kills) leads the way, with Rebecca Ramirez (10.20 assists) directing the offense. Tait (1.18) and Rachel Harty (0.83) have provided the blocking, while Mary Crema owns a team-best 4.50 digs per set.
Nicole Lott (3.60 kills) and Kristin Powell (3.40) carried UNC Wilmington on offense last weekend in its tournament sweep at Clemson. The Seahawks flexed their muscles at the net, with Meredith Peacock (1.70), Anna Moss (1.67) and Powell (1.60) all finishing with at least one and a half blocks per set. Lindsay Hartmann (4.00 digs) led the backcourt defense along with Morgan Owney (3.44) and Lott (3.40).
Sacramento State has been led by Lauren Kissell (4.20 kills per set) and Sloan Lovett (3.47 kills) so far this year, with Kennedy Kurtz tallying 10.80 assists. On defense, Lexie Skalbeck (4.13 digs) joined up with Shannon Boyle (2.69 digs) and Morgan Stanley (2.47) in the backcourt, while Madeline Cannon (1.20 blocks) helped anchor things up front along with Kissell (0.87 blocks) during the first week of play.
Up NextNSU will compete in the Spartan-Aggie Invitational Sept. 11 and 12. The tournament will be co-hosted by UNCG and North Carolina A&T and will feature the Spartans facing those two squads in addition to Alabama State.
