NORFOLK, Va. --- Junior outside hitter Gabrielle Gilbert tallied 21 kills to lead Norfolk State to a 3-1 (27-25, 25-17, 15-25, 25-14) win over Morgan State on Friday night at Gills Gymnasium.
 
The Spartans improved to 2-19 overall and 1-7 in MEAC play, while the Bears dropped to 8-10 (5-3 MEAC).
 
Gilbert moved closer to 1,000 career kills, now sitting just 24 away from the milestone. Isis Castille added 10 kills, and Jasmine Mataira directed the offense with 35 assists.
 
Mary Nahinu anchored the defense with 13 digs, followed by Gilbert with 10 and Catori Crawford with eight. Reagan Chisholm controlled the net with four blocks, while Jala Dixon and Gilbert each recorded three.
 
Norfolk State took an early 7-4 lead in the opening set after a Castille kill, but Morgan State responded with a 7-2 run to go ahead 11-9. The teams traded points until the Spartans built a 22-18 lead. Gilbert's kill brought NSU to set point at 24-20, but the Bears rallied with five straight points to move ahead 25-24. The Spartans responded, closing the set on a 3-1 run to win 27-25.
 
NSU carried its momentum into the second set, jumping ahead 6-3 on a Chisholm kill. After Morgan State tied it at 8-8, the Spartans went on a 7-3 spurt to regain control. Norfolk State extended its lead late with four straight points and sealed the set 25-17 on an Ava Berry kill.
 
Morgan State regrouped in the third set, opening with a 10-4 run. NSU trimmed the deficit to 10-7 on three Bear errors, but Morgan State used a 9-3 stretch to pull away 22-12. Despite late kills from Castille and Chisholm, the Bears claimed the set 25-15.
 
The Spartans dominated the final frame, hitting .522 as a team. Gilbert sparked an early 5-2 lead, and Castille's kill pushed the margin to 13-9. Norfolk State then closed the match on a 10-2 run, capped by another Gilbert kill, to secure the 25-14 set win and the 3-1 match victory.
 
Norfolk State returns to action Sunday, Oct. 26, hosting Coppin State at 1 p.m. at Gills Gymnasium.

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