NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk State volleyball dropped a 3-0 (20-25, 20-25, 21-25) match to Coppin State on Sunday afternoon at Gills Gymnasium.
 
Coppin State improved to 16-9 overall and 9-0 in the MEAC, while Norfolk State moved to 2-20 (1-8 MEAC).
 
Gabrielle Gilbert led the Spartans with 10 kills. Jasmine Mataira directed the offense with 19 assists, while Reagan Chisholm anchored the defense with five blocks. Mary Nahinu recorded 12 digs and Mya Wood added 10.
 
The teams traded points early in the opening set before the Spartans used a 4-1 run, capped by a Gilbert kill, to take a 14-12 lead. Coppin State answered with a 4-1 run of its own and later built a 20-17 advantage. After four straight Eagle points, Cherisse Atilano closed the set for Coppin State, 25-20.
 
Norfolk State opened the second set strong, racing to a 7-1 lead behind kills from Chisholm and Isis Castille. Coppin State responded with 10 of the next 11 points to move ahead 11-8. Nahinu's ace helped NSU briefly reclaim the lead, but the Eagles surged back with a 7-2 run that included three consecutive aces. Coppin State closed the frame 25-20.

Coppin State jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the final set before Castille's kill gave NSU a 7-6 edge. The Spartans went on a 6-1 run to build a 14-12 advantage, but the Eagles battled back to tie it at 17. Castille tied the score again at 20-20, but Coppin State finished strong, winning five of the final six points to take the set 25-21 and the match.
 
Norfolk State returns to action Friday, Oct. 31, against Maryland Eastern Shore at 6 p.m. at Gills Gymnasium.

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