NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State will face its second power-five conference competition of the season on Thursday as the Spartans head to Blacksburg, Va. for the Virginia Tech Classic.
 
The Spartans (0-8) will play two matches at the multi-team event, both at Cassell Coliseum. NSU meets the Hokies (5-4) on Thursday at 5:30 p.m., before facing Appalachian State (6-3) or Western Carolina (6-4) on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. or 5:30 p.m., depending on the previous day's results.
 
Thursday's matchup at Virginia Tech will air on ACC Network Extra, available through WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
 
Last Time Out
 
Norfolk State came up barely short during two tight sets on Tuesday as the Spartans lost 3-0 to cross-town foe Old Dominion by scores of 25-23, 25-23, 25-14. Shonte Seale led the team with 13 kills on her season-best .391 hitting percentage.
 
Seale wasn't the only Spartan hitter that enjoyed a productive night. Paola Matos finished the match with eight kills on a .571 swing rate, while Carla Hernandez put together a balanced seven kills and 11 digs.
 
Fierce Freshman
 
NSU first-year setter Sydney McCree has already begun to add accolades to her resume, earning MEAC Rookie of the Week honors on Monday afternoon. The setter posted double-doubles in three of the Spartans' four matches last week, including a standout performance against Hampton with 39 assists, 10 digs, and four service aces.
 
The Durham, N.C. native currently ranks third in the conference with 6.58 assists per set.
 
Scouting the Competition
 
Virginia Tech enters Thursday's meeting on a two-match losing streak, after winning four straight prior. The Hokies strong defense has come up big this season, holding opponents to a .184 hitting percentage.
 
If the Spartans draw Appalachian State on Friday, they will need a disciplined defensive performance to withstand the Mountaineers' dangerous attack. Maya Winterhoff ranks 17^th in the country with a .432 hitting percentage, while Lauren Pledger follows closely behind at .400.
 
Western Carolina has found success with a staunch back line that averages 14.3 digs per set. Preseason All-SoCon libero Destinee Dorsey headlines that department, while outside hitter Merry Gebel brings experience to the team's attack.