Norfolk State University Athletics

NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk State volleyball team opened its regular season with a 3-1 loss to USC Upstate on Friday evening at Echols Hall, falling 25-20, 14-25, 20-25, and 21-25 in the Quest for the Crown Tournament.
 
Norfolk State dropped to 0-1 on the season, while USC Upstate improved to 2-0. NSU finished with 42 kills, 10 blocks and eight service aces.
 
Kyleigh Moore led Norfolk State with 14 kills while hitting .323. Gabrielle Gilbert added 12 kills, while Isis Castille finished with seven. Nehir Erimez directed the offense with 17 assists, and Jazeli Vandenburgh recorded 24 digs to lead the Spartans defensively.
 
Norfolk State controlled the opening set from the start and built a 16-15 lead before pulling away late. The Spartans used a 4-0 run to move ahead 20-17, then extended the advantage to 23-18 behind consecutive service aces from Briana Ellis. Gilbert recorded a kill to give Norfolk State set point at 24-20 before an USC Upstate attack error ended the set, 25-20.
 
USC Upstate responded in the second set, hitting .343 while limiting Norfolk State to a -.024 hitting percentage. The Spartans kept the set close at 13-15 before USC Upstate scored eight of the final nine points to even the match with a 25-14 victory.
 
Norfolk State battled throughout the third set but could not overcome a late USC Upstate run. The Spartans pulled within 20-22 after a Berry kill, but USC Upstate scored the final three points to take the set 25-20 and move ahead 2-1.
 
The fourth set featured another competitive battle, with Norfolk State trailing 18-20 before USC Upstate pushed ahead 23-20. Moore and Berry helped the Spartans cut the deficit to 21-23, but USC Upstate closed the match with back-to-back points for a 25-21 victory.
 
UP NEXT
Norfolk State will look to bounce back on Saturday, Aug. 29, against Elon at the ODU Jim Jarrett Athletic Building in Norfolk at 3 p.m. to wrap up the Quest for the Crown Tournament.
 
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please 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.