NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk State University head volleyball coach Kathy Bullock announced the team's 2024 schedule on Monday afternoon, headlined by three early tournaments to begin the season and the annual Battle of the Bay matchup against Hampton.

 

The 2024 season features 11 home matches, three in the Norfolk State Tournament, one against in-state rival Hampton, and seven against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) foes.

 

The Spartans look to build off a historic 2023 season in which Gabrielle Gilbert became the first NSU volleyball player to be selected to the All-MEAC First Team, while also receiving the MEAC Rookie of the Year award.

 

"I'm excited about the upcoming season because it's going to be loaded with speed, power and a higher overall team IQ," NSU head coach Kathy Bullock said. "This is the first season since I've arrived in 2019 that will be full of quality and depth in every position."

Norfolk State comes off a 9-14 record, 7-7 in conference play, which tied its best MEAC record for the second consecutive season.

 

The Spartans play exhibition games in Costa Rica from July 5 to July 11 in preparation for the 2024 season, becoming the first women's program at the University to face international competition.

 

"The trip to Costa Rica is going to allow us an opportunity to get a taste of what we can expect from the 2024 team," Bullock spoke about the team's pre-season trip to Costa Rica this summer. "Spartan Volleyball is on the RISE!!!"

 

The 2024 season opens in Richmond, Va. with an exhibition match against Virginia Commonwealth University on Aug. 24.

 

Following the exhibition, the Spartans will host Gardner-Webb, Lamar, and Miami (OH) in the Norfolk State Tournament from Aug. 30-31.

 

The first road games of the season will be against UNC Charlotte on Sept. 4 and Elon on Sept. 10 in a road trip down to North Carolina.

 

The Spartans will compete in two road tournaments: one hosted by Virginia Tech and the other hosted by Charleston Southern. On Sept. 17, the Spartans will face the Pirates of Hampton in the Battle of the Bay match at Gill Gymnasium.

 

MEAC play opens on the road against North Carolina Central on Sept. 27 and South Carolina State on Sept. 29. The Spartans swept against NCCU and SCSU last year. Norfolk State returns home to face Maryland Eastern Shore on Oct. 4.

 

The Spartans have a four-match road stretch from Oct. 6-27 where they face Delaware State (Oct. 6), Coppin State (Oct. 11), Morgan State (Oct. 13), and Hampton (Oct. 16).

 

To end the month of October, Norfolk State will host Howard on Oct. 18, NCCU on Oct. 25, and SCSU on Oct. 27.

 

November sees NSU play against UMES on the 1st, then head back home for a three-match series against DSU, CSU, and MSU. Norfolk State will celebrate Senior Day on the 10th against Morgan State.

 

The Spartans head to Washington, D.C. to face Howard in the regular season finale, slated for Oct. 15.

 

The 2024 MEAC Volleyball Championship Tournament will take [lace from 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.