DURHAM, N.C. - The Norfolk State volleyball team faced North Carolina Central in the opening slate of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play on Friday in Durham, N.C. in the 3-2 loss to the Eagles.

Norfolk State (5-8, 0-1 MEAC) battled with NCCU (3-9, 1-0 MEAC) to the fifth-set for the first fifth-set match of the season. 

A 10-4 run by the Spartans sparked by Gabrielle Gilbert and Alexa Harris solidified the first set for the Spartans. Gilbert and Harris tallied back-to-back kills to give the Spartans the early advantage.

Jordan Lyons and Adlene Jideofor joined in on the action as well garnered kills in the run. The Spartans easily won set one 25-19 over the Eagles.

In set two both teams battled for set point that resulted in tie breakers. Kaden Sanders' ace gave Norfolk State game point 24-22 over the Eagles, who would respond by tying the game at 24-24. 

Sydney McCree assisted Harris on the kill to put the Spartans at match point before clutching a huge block assist along with Jideofor to win the set 26-24 to go two sets to none over the Eagles.

Consecutive kills by Gabrielle Gilbert in the third set tied in at 20-20 in the back and forth affair, but it wasn't enough as the Eagles would go on to win 25-23.

The Spartans went on a rally at the end of the fourth set in order to get within range of the Eagles. It started on a kill by Harris and a service ace by Gilbert to pull the Spartans closer, 24-19.

Huge blocks from Harris and Jala Dixon before an Eagle attack error put the Spartans down 24-21 to the Eagles. The Eagles would win on match point to tie the match at 2-2.

The fifth and final set of the match the Spartans answered every call the Eagles gave them, but were unable to secure a lead in the set, losing 15-13.

Gabrielle Gilbert finished the game with 24 kills to lead the Spartans. Harris (19) and Lyons (13) joined Gilbert in the double-digit kill column on the night. McCree recorded 34 assists as the Spartans assist-leader this season.

Checking The Box Score

• Gilbert totaled 19 kills, four block assists, and two digs
• Jordan recorded her second double-double of the season (13 kills, 16 digs)
• Lily Rose-Pichon recorded her first 20-plus dig performance this season (23)
• McCree posted 39 assists for a season-high

News & Notes

• NCCU leads the all-time series 13-6 over the Spartans
• The second match-up between the programs will be on Oct. 25 in Norfolk, Va.

LOOKING AHEAD TO WHAT'S NEXT

The Norfolk State volleyball team travels down to Orangeburg, S.C. on Sept. 29 to face South Carolina State University. The Spartans host Maryland Eastern Shore for a "White Out" game at Gill Gymnasium on Friday, Oct. 4 in Norfolk, Va.

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