NORFOLK, Va. – For the first time this season, Norfolk State women's volleyball will host two matches in one weekend at Gill Gymnasium, and it couldn't come at a more important stretch. The Spartans have a chance to continue one of their most dominant starts to MEAC play in program history.
 
NSU (3-11, 3-1 MEAC) faces off against South Carolina State (0-16, 0-5) on Friday at 6 p.m., before battling North Carolina Central on Sunday at 1 p.m.  (3-13, 2-13). Both matches will be streamed live on HBCU League Pass+.
 
Last Time Out
 
The Spartans swept Morgan State 3-0 last weekend, ending their Baltimore trip with a statement performance. NSU racked up 42 kills while the defense refused to give an inch, holding the Bears to a .057 hitting percentage.
 
Carla Hernandez guided the Spartans with 11 kills and seven digs, her third time reaching double-digit kills in the last four matches. Freshman setter Sydney McCree showed off all aspects of her game, posting 32 assists, seven kills and four service aces, closing out the second set with three consecutive aces.
 
Scouting the Bulldogs / Eagles
 
South Carolina State is led by junior outside hitter Semira Fields, averaging 1.58 kills and 1.31 digs per set. The Bulldogs' hitters have crafted attacks around net presences creatively, ranking second in the MEAC with just 1.53 opponent blocks per set.
 
The Eagles earned MEAC wins against Morgan State and SCSU but since hit a cold streak with three consecutive losses, including one nonconference defeat at the hands of Elon. Freshman outside hitter Kamren Harper has emerged as one of the best newcomers in the conference, averaging a team-best 2.57 kills per set.
 
All-Time Series
 
NSU trails the all-time series with SCSU 10-24 but have won the last four matchups between the schools. Norfolk State head coach Kathy Bullock is 3-0 against the Bulldogs since becoming the Spartans' head coach in 2019.
 
NCCU leads the all-time series with the Spartans 17-10, having won the last five meetings between the programs.