BUIES CREEK, N.C. ---The Norfolk State women's volleyball team dropped two matches on Saturday, falling to Campbell (17-25, 19-25, 22-25) and Gardner-Webb (15-25, 19-25, 25-19, 21-25) to close out the Campbell Invitational.
 
The Spartans moved to 0-7 on the year. Campbell improved to 3-2, while Gardner-Webb climbed to 3-4.
 
GAME 1: Norfolk State 0, Campbell 3
Campbell opened the first set with a 9-3 lead, but Norfolk State answered with a 7-2 run capped by a Mya Wood kill to pull within 11-10. The Spartans tied the score at 15-15 on an Ava Berry kill before the Camels closed the set on an 8-2 run.
 
Norfolk State grabbed its first lead of the match on an Isis Castille kill at 2-1 and extended the advantage to 10-8 after a Sydney McCree kill. Campbell responded with a 9-2 run to take the second set 25-19.
 
The Spartans surged ahead 8-5 in the final frame after a Castille kill, but Campbell answered with an 8-2 run. Norfolk State tied the set at 20-20 on a Gabrielle Gilbert-Berry block before the Camels closed on a 5-2 run to seal the match.
 
Gilbert, Wood, and Castille paced the Spartans with five kills apiece. Mary Nahinu recorded a team-high eight digs, while McCree dished out 16 assists.
 
GAME 2: Norfolk State 1, Gardner Webb 3
Gardner-Webb jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the opening set and never looked back, taking the frame 25-15.
 
Norfolk State started strong in the second set with a 4-2 lead, but the Bulldogs answered with a 9-0 run to take control. The Spartans rallied late with a 5-0 stretch, but Gardner-Webb closed the set 25-19.
 
The Spartans turned the tide in the third set, building a 10-4 lead behind multiple Castille kills. NSU extended the advantage to 22-13 and held off a Bulldog comeback to win 25-19.
 
Norfolk State looked poised to push the match to five sets, pulling ahead 17-14 in the fourth frame. Gardner-Webb, however, finished strong with an 8-1 run to clinch the match 25-21.
 
Gilbert led NSU with 13 kills, followed by Castille with nine and Wood with eight. McCree turned in a standout effort with 37 assists and 22 digs. Wood added 18 digs, while Paula Sigurani chipped in 17.
 
Norfolk State returns to action on Friday, Sept. 12, at the William & Mary Tournament, opening against Liberty at 4 p.m.
 
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