HAMPTON, Va. - Incredible all-around performances vaulted the Norfolk State volleyball team (9-10, 3-3 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) to a straight-set victory over Hampton (0-20, 0-8 CAA) on Wednesday at Holland Hall.

With the win over the Pirates, Head coach Kathy Bullock wins her ninth match of the season which ties for most wins since 2013 under coach Brandon Duvall (13 wins).

A 4-0 run in the first set that consisted of two service aces by Jasmine Mataira, a kill by Gabrielle Gilbert, and a block by Adlene Jideofor gave the Spartans an early six-point lead.

Defeating the Pirates 25-14 in the first set came behind an 8-2 run allowing for smooth sailing for Norfolk State. Lily Rose-Pichon recorded three consecutive service aces in that span.

A kill by Gilbert kick started a 6-0 run for the Spartans as they took a 8-3 lead in the second set as the Spartans led by as much as eight points in the set. 

A 5-0 run by the Pirates minimized Norfolk State's grasp on the lead bringing it within two points, 15-13. A bad set by Hampton and kills from Alexa Harris and Gilbert vaulted the Spartans to a 19-15 lead.

The Pirates utilized a 6-1 run to tie the set at 21-21. Sydney McCree garnered the Spartans' lead back after her from Rose-Pichon before the Pirates tied it up again. A kill by Chrisitan Wilson from McCree saw the Spartans take a 23-22 lead, however the Pirates would take set two 25-21 behind a service error, a kill, and a Norfolk State attacking error.

The Spartans more than doubled the Pirates in the third set, defeating them 25-11. The Spartans utilized a 11-0 run to give no chance of a comeback for the Pirates. In that run, the Spartans collected one service ace (McCree), four kills (Harris, Lyons, Chisholm, and Wilson), and two block assists (Lyons and Chisholm).

Norfolk State began the fourth set on a 7-2 run behind three attacking errors by Hampton, a service ace from Trinity Mitchell, and a kill by Harris. The Pirates brought it within three points (14-11) in the middle of the set, but a 11-5 run spelled the end of any comeback attempt from the Pirates as the Spartans won the fourth set 25-16.

Checking The Box Score

• McCree collected 40 assists for her second consecutive match with 40 or more assists
• Lyons posted her third double-double of the season (12 kills, 14 digs)
• Gilbert finished with 18 kills and seven digs; Harris recorded 11 kills and three digs
• Three players recorded double-digit digs: Mataira (11), Lyons (14) and Rose-Pichon (25)
• Mataira and Rose-Pichon notched three service aces each

News & Notes

• Hampton leads the all-time series 62-18 over Norfolk State; the Spartans have defeated the Pirates in back-to-back
• In the last meeting between the teams, Norfolk State defeated the Pirates in straight sets on Sept. 17

LOOKING AHEAD TO WHAT'S NEXT
On Sunday, Oct. 20, the Spartans host Howard University for a "Breast Cancer Awareness" match at Gill Gymnasium at 3 p.m.

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