NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk State volleyball team celebrated its five seniors in its' Senior Day match sweep of Morgan State on Sunday in the final home match of the season.

The Spartans (13-13, 7-6 MEAC) celebrated Jordan Lyons, Adlene Jideofor, Alexa Harris, Calyce Jones, and Christian Wilson in their pre-match senior day presentation.

Tied at 8-8 early in the first set, the Spartans forced a Morgan State (6-21, 2-11 MEAC) timeout after a 8-0 spurred by a pair of kills from Wilson assisted by Jasmine Mataira.

Jala Dixon and Jordan Lyons would send back an attempt from the Bears on a huge block on the outside, before a service ace by Lily Rose-Pichon.

Lyons nor Dixon were finished just yet, as Lyons would secure a kill with Dixon garnering another block assist (with Wilson), to put the Spartans up 16-8 over the Bears.

Wilson would come in with another kill in the next possession, forcing the timeout call by the Bears.

The Spartans held the Bears to a .040 attacking percentage on seven kills and six attacking errors. Collecting four blocks and four service aces, Norfolk State clicked on all cylinders.

Sophomore Gabrielle Gilbert and Wilson combined for nine kills in the dominant first set, which the Spartans won 25-17, after never relinquishing their lead.

Down five points, 23-18, Norfolk State never backed down in the second set behind three clutch service aces from Sydney McCree, as well as a kill from Lyons and a Bear attacking error.

The Bears would go up 24-23 over the Spartans on an attacking error, but Dixon and Gilbert garnered kills from McCree to vault the Spartans to a 25-24 lead over Morgan State.

Both teams would exchange points, before a Gilbert kill and a Bear attacking error, would go on to secure the Spartans their 28-26 win in set two.

An early 5-1 lead by Norfolk State in set three, led the Spartans to an easy win to sweep the Bears in straight sets, winning set three 25-14.

On full display against the Bears, the Spartans showcased their incredible block prowess. In the last three matches, Norfolk State combined for 58 block assists, finishing with 32 in the upset win over Delaware State on Nov. 3.

In tonight's match against Morgan State, the Spartans collected 12 block assists. Dixon totaled six blocks assists and Lyons added three block assists.

Checking The Box Score

• Gilbert led the Spartans in kills (14) and service aces (3); MCree tallied three service aces as well whilst securing 20 assists
• Gilbert hit .522, finishing with 14 kills, two errors, on 23 attacking attempts
• Rose-Pichon recorded 10 digs; Dixon tallied six block assists
• The Spartans totaled 11 service aces and 12 block assists

News & Notes

• Morgan State leads the all-time series 28-14 over the Spartans
• Norfolk State won both meetings this regular season
• The Spartans defeated the Bears earlier this season in Baltimore, Md. in five sets on Oct. 13
• Norfolk State garner seven MEAC victories in three consecutive seasons

 
UP NEXT
The Norfolk State volleyball team plays Howard in Washington, D.C. for its regular season finale on Friday, Nov. 15. After Howard, the Spartans head to the 2024 MEAC Volleyball Tournament, hosted by Delaware State, slated for Nov. 22-24 in Dover, Del.

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.

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