Volleyball MEAC Media Relations

SPARTANS END 31-MEAC LOSING STREAK WITH WIN OVER SCSU

Norfolk State snapped a 31 conference-match losing streak with a 3-0 win over South Carolina State on Tuesday night at Echols Hall. The Spartans took the match 30-20, 30-22, 30-25.

The last time the Spartans posted a victory in MEAC play was November 15, 2003 in a 3-2 victory over Coppin State.

The Spartans started the first game strong, leading by as many as 12 points along the way. A service ace by junior Yolanda Roberts put NSU (4-17, 1-0 MEAC) up 26-14. After both teams exchanged service errors, junior Shardonay Blueford sealed the 30-20 win with an ace.

In the second game, SCSU (7-17, 1-2) took a 3-0 lead after two Spartan attack errors and a kill by Linnie Garrett, but NSU rallied, and went up 11-10 on a service error by Jarne Gleaton. The Spartans settled down and won the game 30-22 on an attack error by Gleaton.

Game 3 was a close one all the way, but the Spartans were able to stay on top behind Roberts’ arm. She had eight of her nine kills in the third game, including the game-winner to give NSU the 30-25 win.

Garrett led the Lady Bulldogs with eight kills. Erinn Phillips had 12 assists.

The Spartans outplayed SCSU in just about every category. NSU had 43 kills, 40 assists, 11 service aces, and 50 digs. SCSU only recorded 27 kills, 23 assists, 3 aces, and 26 digs.

Junior Chantel Cherry led the Spartans with 11 kills. Roberts and Blueford each had nine kills and two aces. Sophomore Solange Honore had match-highs of 33 assists and 11 digs.

The Spartans venture off to the Sunshine State for a four-day road trip. They take on MEAC preseason favorite Florida A&M at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Tallahassee and then travel to Daytona Beach to take on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at 2 p.m. on Saturday.