Norfolk State Volleyball (2-0) hosted a tournament and won season openers on August 30, 2024, in Joseph Echols Hall. The Spartans defeated the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs (0-2) and the Lamar University Cardinals (0-2) in straight sets during day one.
Norfolk State vs. Gardner-Webb
The Spartans played the first game of the tournament against the Gardner Webb Bulldogs and started set 1 with a Spartan point from a service error on the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs were right behind the Spartans, tying with them three times, but unable to take the lead and keep a hold on it. Going on two 7-0 scoring runs, the Spartans put a gap in the score and took the first set 25-12.
Set two started with two kills by the Spartans, followed by the Bulldogs first point of the set from a Spartan’s service error.
The teams stayed close in score the entire set, with each side having their fair share of kills and blocks. The end of the set was tight with the teams tying 22-22, but the Spartans finished the set 25-22 with two kills and a service ace.
The third set started with both teams getting a point from a kill, but the Spartans won a rally and broke the tie 2-1, taking the lead.
Determined to stay in the game, the Bulldogs were resilient and caught up with the Spartans making the score 15-15 and battled to take over. After multiple lead changes, the Spartans 4-0 scoring run at the end led them to win the set and the game 25-21.
The Spartans leaders of the game were Gabrielle Gilbert with 13 kills, Adlene Jideofor with 5 blocks, Sydney McCree with 3 aces, and Lily Rose-Pichon with 13 digs.
The Bulldogs leaders of the game were Cayton White with 12 kills, Sloane Rooney with 3 aces, and Molly Littlefield with 9 digs.
Norfolk State vs. Lamar University
The Spartan’s second opponent of the day were the Lamar University Cardinals. The first set started with the teams taking turns tying and switching leads, until the Spartans went on a 5-0 scoring run that included blocks, setter kills, and service aces.
With the momentum being on their side, the Cardinals won multiple rallies and closed the gap in score within two points. Fighting against the comeback, the Spartans went on another scoring run of 6-0, which helped them take the first set 25-17.
The Spartans got the first point of the set from an overpass kill, followed by a Cardinals kill of their own.
Going on a 4-0 scoring run, the Spartans broke a tie in the beginning of the set to end a rally, but the Cardinals responded, going on their own 4-0 run to take the lead.
As the set ended, the game got intense and the Spartans made a comeback tying with the Cardinals, and then taking the lead to finish the set 25-22
The Cardinals started the third set strong with a 2-point lead. Getting the point to end a rally helped the Cardinals maintain their lead and space the score out.
Refusing to stay down, the Spartans gave the Cardinals a run for their money with multiple back-to-back kills and brought the score back into close range.
A fight to the end with both teams hustling and battling to take the set, the Spartans finished the set strong and took the win 28-26.
The Spartans leaders of the game were Gabrielle Gilbert with 15 kills and 4 aces, Lily Rose-Pichon with 14 digs and 5 assists, and Jordan Lyons with 8 kills and 2 aces.
The Cardinals leaders of the game were Lyric Jordan with 13 kills, Taisha Rhone with 3 aces, Annie Cathey with 2 blocks, and Keeley Nellis with 15 digs.
The Spartans will take on the Miami University Redhawks in day two of the tournament tomorrow, August 31, 2024, at Joseph Echols Hall at 12:30 p.m.
Spartan Echo 