ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The Norfolk State volleyball team closed its road trip with a terrific performance on Sunday, sweeping South Carolina State 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 25-17) at Dukes Gymnasium.
 
Gabrielle Gilbert led the Spartans (8-8, 7-2 MEAC) with 15 kills on a .522 hitting percentage, adding six digs and one assist. Sydney McCree recorded 31 assists as well as four service aces.
 
Norfolk State opened the first set ahead 5-2, winning three consecutive points on Catori Crawford's serve. The Spartans went on another 4-0 run later in the game behind Fabiana Mucciola's serve, before McCree fueled a six-point burst with back-to-back aces.
 
Freshman Grace Smith racked up a pair of late kills, as the Spartans comfortably won the set 25-12 to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
South Carolina State took the lead three times in the second game, but kills from Shonte Seale, Gilbert, and Smith ensured the cushion never reached more than one point.  With the Spartans ahead 16-14, Adlene Jideofor forced a SCSU timeout with back-to-back kills.
 
The Spartans closed the second game on a 4-0 run, getting a kill from Jala Dixon off the bench to bring set point.
 
The Bulldogs took a quick 9-4 lead in the third set, giving the Spartans some adversity to overcome. NSU responded with a 4-0 run, receiving a back-row kill from Trinity Mitchell.
 
The crucial swing came moments later, when the Spartans reeled off 13 straight points, 12 coming on McCree's serve. McCree recorded two service aces and Gilbert notched four kills during the 13-0 run.
 
SCSU put together five consecutive points before the end of the game, keeping the Spartans from cruising to victory just yet. Raquel Lightbourn recorded a kill to set up match point, before Seale put the match away moments later.
 
After picking up its first two MEAC losses of the 2023 season, Norfolk State now rides a three-game win streak into Friday's Alumni Night match against Maryland Eastern Shore. First serve is set for 6 p.m. at Gill Gymnasium.