CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Norfolk State University volleyball team fell in straight sets to the Cavaliers from the University of Virginia on Friday evening in Charlottesville, Va.  

Norfolk State was led on the attack by freshman Gabrielle Gilbert with 12 kills. Setter Sydeny McCree tallied 24 assists. Kaden Sanders and Fabiana Mucciola both recorded six kills.  

The Spartans began the match with the first two points coming from a pair of kills from Gabrielle Gilbert and Adlene Jideofor. Another Gilbert kill and a block from Jideofor and Alexa Harris put NSU up 4-3 over UVA. The Cavaliers went on an 11-1 rally pulling ahead of the Spartans 14-5. Norfolk State climbed back within five points, 15-10, after putting down four kills and a service ace courtesy of Trinity Mitchell. Virginia reopened an eight-point lead, 20-12, and from there held Norfolk State to just four more points winning the first set 25-16.  

UVA quickly took the lead in set two going up 9-4. The Spartans fought back and closed the gap to knot the score at 15 all as kills from Gilbert, Jideofor, and Shonte Seale all fell for points. The Cavaliers did not appreciate the Spartans rally and went on one of their own closing out the set on a 10-2 run and winning set two 25-17.  

The teams were neck-and-neck through the early serves, sitting tied at three all as kills from Gilbert and Seale fell fair for the Spartans. The Cavaliers opened up a 12-point lead, 16-4, following a 13-1 run. NSU came as close as seven points, 19-12, after back-to-back kills from Gilbert, but Virginia carried their momentum to the end winning set three 25-15 and the match in three sets.  

The Spartans return to the court tomorrow at 12 P.M. to face the Revolutionaries of George Washington University who fell earlier today in five sets to Wofford College.