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Gabrielle Gilbert
Matt Patterson

Spartans Show Defensive Strength in Tribe Invitational Opener

Box Score WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Norfolk State volleyball battled valiantly but fell to Liberty in straight sets at Kaplan Arena in the Tribe Invitational, hosted by William & Mary.

Junior outside hitter Gabrielle Gilbert paced the Spartans with 12 kills, while sophomore Reagan Chisholm chipped in six. Senior setter Sydney McCree notched her second consecutive double-double, finishing with 22 assists and 12 digs. Mary Nahinu anchored the back row with a team-high 16 digs, joined by Jasmine Mataria in double figures with 10. Freshman Ava Berry provided a strong defensive presence at the net, recording a match-high eight blocks.

The opening set saw momentum swing back and forth as the teams traded points early. Norfolk State (0-8) moved ahead 3-2 on a pair of kills from Gilbert, but Liberty (6-1) responded with three kills and a service ace to grab an 8-5 lead. The Spartans rallied to even the score at 11 before a McCree kill gave them a brief 12-11 edge. The Flames answered with a service ace to retake the lead at 14-13, but NSU surged back, going up 15-14 on a Briana Ellis ace that forced Liberty into a timeout.

The Spartans extended their advantage to 22-19 behind a strong defensive stretch that featured four blocks and a kill from Isis Castille. Liberty, however, clawed back to tie the score at 23 and went ahead 24-23 following a kill. Out of an NSU timeout, the Flames closed the set with a service ace, claiming the opener 25-23 and taking a 1-0 match lead.

Liberty carried its momentum into the second set, jumping out to a 7-3 lead before Norfolk State answered with a 10-4 run capped by kills from Gilbert and Reagan Chisholm to move ahead 13-11. The Flames quickly countered, stringing together an 8-2 spurt behind six kills and two Spartan errors to regain control at 19-15. NSU closed the gap to 19-17 on back-to-back LU miscues, but Liberty finished strong with a 6-2 closing run to secure the set 25-19 and extend its match lead to 2-0.

The third set opened evenly, tied at 6-6 after a block from Castille and Chisholm, but Liberty broke away with a decisive 7-0 run to seize a 13-6 advantage. That cushion proved insurmountable as the Flames went on to take the frame 25-16 and complete the sweep. Gilbert, Chisholm, Berry, and Mina Faw each recorded kills down the stretch.

The Spartans return to action on Saturday, Sept. 12, when they face host William & Mary at 11 a.m. inside Kaplan Arena in Williamsburg, Va.

For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (X/Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.
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