NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State University women's volleyball team opens the 2023 season this weekend in a tri-match across town on the campus of Old Dominion University. The Spartans will face off against the Rams of Virginia Commonwealth University and the hosting Monarchs of Old Dominion in the third annual Quest for the Crown Tournament.
The Spartans take to the court on Saturday at 12 P.M. for their first match of the season against the Rams of VCU. NSU completes the doubleheader with a 6 P.M. match against the Monarchs of ODU. Live stats will be available for both NSU matches with the Spartans match against the Monarchs to be streamed on ESPN+.
Quest for the Crown Tournament Info
Friday, Aug. 25 - Saturday, Aug. 26
Location – ODU Volleyball Center (Norfolk, Va.)
Watch –
ESPN+ (ODU vs. Norfolk State)
Live Stats –
CLICK HERE
Full Schedule
Friday, Aug. 25
6:30 P.M. – Old Dominion (H) vs. VCU (A)
Saturday, Aug. 26
12 P.M. – Norfolk State (H) vs. VCU (A) - Live Stats Only
6 P.M. – Old Dominion (H) vs. Norfolk State (A)
About Norfolk State
Norfolk State was selected to finish fourth in the MEAC preseason coaches show, voted on by head coaches and sports information directors in the conference. The fourth place ranking is the highest for Norfolk State since the 2013 season when the Spartans were selected third in the North division.
NSU finished the 2022 season with an appearance in the MEAC quarterfinal match after going 7-7 in league play throughout the season. The conference mark was the best MEAC finish since 2013 for the Spartans who placed a trio of student-athletes on the MEAC All-Conference teams. Two of the three MEAC honorees returns for the 2023 season in
Shonte Seale and
Sydney McCree.
The Spartans head into the weekend after competing against William & Mary in an exhibition last Saturday. Fans got their first look at the 2023 squad which incorporates five returners, two transfers, and seven freshman. NSU will look to Seale who led the team last season in kills to lead the team on the court as a captain, as well as setter McCree who led in assists and service aces.
The 2023 season begins head coach
Kathy Bullock's fifth year at the helm and her 30
th overall in coaching college volleyball.
About Old Dominion
The Spartans have faced Old Dominion just twice prior to Saturday's matchup with the Monarchs holding a 2-0 series lead. Last season, ODU came to Gill Gymnasium to play NSU and won the match in three sets, 25-23, 25-23, 25-14.
Old Dominion returns nine from the 2022 roster who saw the Monarchs advance to the second round of the Sun Belt Championship tournament including Myah Conway who collected Sun Belt First Team honors and was a 2023 preseason all-conference selection.
ODU is led by Fred Chao in his fourth season.
About Virginia Commonwealth
Norfolk State will open the 2023 season against Virginia Commonwealth at 12 P.M. Saturday afternoon. The match-up will be just the fifth time in program history the two teams have faced each other on the court. VCU holds the 4-0 series advantage against NSU who looks to open the season with a victory. In the last encounter against the Rams, back in January of 2021, VCU defeated NSU in three sets, 25-19, 25-23, 25-13.
VCU returns eight Rams to the 2023 roster from the 2022 squad that made an appearance in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship tournament. Virginia Commonwealth looks to returners Jasmine Knight and Sarah Stratton for leadership on the court with the loss of Qairo Bentley, an A-10 all-conference honoree who graduated following the 2022 season. Knight and Stratton combined for 423 kills for the Rams with Knight collecting 300 of those.
VCU added five freshman to the roster as well as bringing in a new head coach in Tim Doyle, who previously coached at William & Mary.
Fan Information
ODU Volleyball Center
4509 Elkhorn Ave.
Norfolk, VA 23508
- Entrance is located at the NE corner of the Jim Jarrett Athletic Admin Building
- Entrance opens to patrons 60 minutes prior to the start of the match
- Single-game tickets are available at the gate
- General admission: $5
- Military w/ ID: $4
- Group rate (Groups 10 or more): $3 (call 757-683-3360 or email jross@odu.edu)
- ODU students w/ ID: FREE
- FREE parking for volleyball matches is available in parking lot 43, beside the LR Hill Complex, and metered parking is available in the parking garage at 43rd St. & Elkhorn Ave.
For complete coverage of Norfolk State athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @NSUSpartans (Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.
