ETTRICK, Va. – Behind an impressive offensive performance from sophomore Dierdre Carter the Virginia State Trojans volleyball team earned a 3-2 (20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 18-25, 15-8) victory at home in Daniel Gymnasium on Thursday night.

The Winchester, Va., native logged a game-high 22 kills and a team-best .286 attacking percentage to fuel the Trojans' offense.

With the victory, Virginia State improves to 8-4 overall and 6-3 in conference action while the Hawks drop to 12-5 overall and 8-2 within league play.         

Although Carter led the Trojans offensively, senior Imani Wood notched 11 kills and added 13 digs for VSU, while sophomore Alexsys Pullen reached double-figures in the kills' column with 10 hammers. Freshman setter dished out 41 assists and added 12 digs and a pair of blocks. Adriana Hazou led the Trojans defensively with 26 digs.

In the first set, Chowan came out strong leading 8-2 making the Trojans play catch up for the remainder of the set. Virginia State slowly began to get into a rhythm to score three unanswered points. However, Chowan answered back with a run of their own scoring the last three points of the match taking the win, 25-20.

Similar to the first set, the Trojans had the advantage opening up the match with the lead, 8-3. However, Chowan gain momentum after scoring four points straight. As both teams went point for point, Pullen scored a monster kill giving the Trojans back the momentum which carried VSU to end the match on an 8-3 run to secure set two, 25-20.

Going into the third set, the Trojans appeared to be running away with the match as Chowan began to unfold. Virginia State continued to pounce on the Hawks and eventually take the set, 25-20.

 As it appeared that the Trojans were on a roll, seeming to powerful for the Hawks. Chowan's Jordan Miller efforts helped aid her team to win the fourth set, 25-18 forcing a fifth set.

Filled with so much intensity from both teams going back and forth, Virginia State took its first lead, 9-8. From there, the Trojans never looked back as the Hawks were unable to recover. Virginia State prevailed over the Hawks, 15-8 to claim the fifth and final set.  

The Hawks were led by Jordan Miller's 18 kills and six digs, following both Nakira Fults and Suraya Chase's nine kills on the night. Allison Smith tallied 42 assists while Cindy Ehirch accounted for 38 digs in the loss.

The Trojans return to action on the road as they face off against the Lady Lions of the Lincoln University on October 6. The match starts at 6 p.m.  

The VSU Athletic Department continues its' "1000 Cans, One Goal" campaign initiative at every home game through Friday, Nov. 21. The purpose of the initiative is to support the local food banks in helping feed the less fortunate during the holiday season. Donors are asked to either bring can goods to any VSU Athletic home game (football, basketball, volleyball, and/or cross-country) and/or drop your items off to the Athletic Department.

For more information on Trojan Volleyball, log onto www.govsutrojans.com.

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