NORFOLK, Va. --- The wait for the 2026 Norfolk State volleyball season is almost over.The Spartans will kick off the new campaign with a pair of exhibition contests at Gill Gymnasium, beginning with a matchup against North Carolina A&T at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, before welcoming Elizabeth City State to Norfolk at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21. Admission is free for both exhibition contests.

The exhibition contests will give fans their first look at the 2026 Spartans as the team prepares for the regular season. Following the Aug. 15 contest against North Carolina A&T, fans can meet the 2026 Norfolk State volleyball team during a post-match meet and greet. On Aug. 21, fans can enjoy ice cream before the Spartans take the court against Elizabeth City State.

SERIES HISTORY VS. NORTH CAROLINA A&T

• Norfolk State and North Carolina A&T met in an exhibition contest last season in Greensboro, N.C.
• The Spartans and Aggies have not met in the regular season since 2021, when North Carolina A&T defeated Norfolk State, 3-0, in Greensboro.
• Norfolk State owns an 8-31 all-time record against North Carolina A&T.

SERIES HISTORY VS. ELIZABETH CITY STATE

• Norfolk State owns a 17-2 all-time record against Elizabeth City State.
• The Spartans and Vikings have not met in the regular season since 1997, when Norfolk State defeated Elizabeth City State, 3-0, in Norfolk.

ABOUT THE SPARTANS
Norfolk State enters the 2026 season looking to build on last year's campaign while welcoming a talented mix of returning players and newcomers. The Spartans return five seniors in Briana Ellis, Gabrielle Gilbert, Catori Crawford, Kaden Sanders and Jala Dixon.

Gilbert returns as one of Norfolk State's top offensive threats after leading the Spartans with 407 kills last season while posting a .200 attacking percentage. She enters the 2026 season just 66 kills shy of breaking Norfolk State's all-time career kills record.

Junior Reagan Chisholm also returns after leading the Spartans with a .338 attacking percentage last season, while Ava Berry returns after pacing the team with 83 blocks. Norfolk State also welcomes seven newcomers to the 2026 roster, including six transfers and one freshman.

SPARTANS REGULAR-SEASON OPENER
The Spartans will open the 2026 regular season at home when Norfolk State co-hosts the Quest for the Crown Tournament with Old Dominion. Norfolk State will face USC Upstate at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, in Echols Hall before traveling to Old Dominion on Saturday, Aug. 29, to face Elon at 11 a.m. in a neutral-site contest.

Tickets for the season opener are available now at nsuspartanstickets.universitytickets.com.

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

About Norfolk State University Athletics
Norfolk State University is a Division I member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and a proud Historically Black College and University, sponsoring 17 varsity sports. The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to competitive excellence, academic achievement and building a culture that wins beyond the scoreboard. Behold the green and gold.