Norfolk State University Athletics

NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk State volleyball team gave its home crowd plenty to celebrate Wednesday night, battling Hampton to a thrilling five-set victory in an electric Battle of the Bay atmosphere at Gill Gymnasium.
 
The Spartans defeated the Pirates 25-22, 17-25, 25-19, 26-28, 15-8 to improve to 2-2 on the season and claim the rivalry victory.
 
Norfolk State brought the energy from the opening serve and answered every challenge Hampton presented. The Spartans finished with 55 kills, 13 blocks and 25 service aces while digging out 86 Hampton attacks.
 
Gabrielle Gilbert led the offensive attack with 20 kills, while Kyleigh Moore added 13. Isis Castille, Catori Crawford and Ava Berry each contributed six kills. Nehir Erimez paced the Spartans with 24 assists, while Jasmine Mataira added 17 assists. Jazeli Vandenburgh anchored the defensive effort with 48 digs.
 
Norfolk State jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the opening set behind a kill and two service aces from Gilbert, but Hampton battled back to take a 13-12 advantage. The Spartans answered with a 5-0 run of their own to regain an 18-15 lead and held off a late Hampton push to win 25-22, with Berry delivering the set-clinching kill.
 
The Spartans regained control in the third set with an 8-3 start, then erupted on a 5-0 run behind three Mataira service aces to extend the lead to 13-4. Moore added back-to-back aces as NSU pushed its advantage to 16-6, and Castille finished the set with a kill to give the Spartans a 2-1 lead.
 
The fourth set provided the night's most dramatic stretch. Norfolk State opened a 22-17 advantage after another Moore service ace, but Hampton rallied to tie the set at 23-23 before Gilbert gave NSU another set point with a kill. The Pirates fought off the opportunity and eventually won the marathon set 28-26 to force a decisive fifth.
 
The Spartans came out swinging in the fifth. Hampton took a 5-2 lead, but Mataira sparked NSU's response with an ace and a kill from Ellis tied the set at 5-5 before Mataira's second ace put the Spartans ahead 6-5. After Hampton tied the set at 6-6, NSU scored six straight points to take a 12-6 lead, then Gilbert and Ellis delivered the final two points to send the Spartans to a 15-8 victory.
 
UP NEXT
Norfolk State returns to action Tuesday, Sept. 8, when it hosts William & Mary at 6:30 p.m. at Echols Hall.
 
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