ETTRICK, VA (October 16, 2021)- The Virginia State University volleyball team started the week off strong with 3-set sweep against the Panthers of Virginia Union University.


Set 1
The Trojans were off and running in set one as the squad got off to a 6-1 lead at the start of the first set. A few unforced errors allowed the Panthers to cut into the lead to make the score 6-4. Headlined by three service aces from Ambria McBride, VSU scored seven unanswered points to bring the lead to 13-4. The Panthers would then battle back scoring 9-of-10 points in the set to make it 22-15. The Trojans would go on to scrape together three points to take the first set, 25-17.

Set 2
VSU and JCSU went point for point in the commencement of set two. The Trojans would then earn four points in a row to make the score 7-3 in the beginning of the second set. Five kills from Helena Eubanks and Bethany Henry helped the Trojans extend their lead to 12-5. When VSU seemed to pull away a string of unforced errors from the home team led to a Virginia State timeout with the score at 14-13. VUU and VSU saw ties at 16, 18 and 22 late in the second set. The Panthers gained the advantage point three times but couldn't close out the set as the Trojans only needed one shot at having the advantage point before closing out the set at 29-27.

Set 3
The final set of the matchup undoubtedly belonged to the Trojans, as they took the first seven of 10 points. VSU controlled the midway point of the second set, as they were able to go on a four-point run to make it 14-7. Despite the Panthers keeping up, the Trojans were able to hold off the visiting team 25-20 in the final set to complete the sweep.


Leaders
VSU led in all categories in their matchup against VUU, to include dominating in kills, 45-24. Ambria McBride and Helena Eubanks led the charge for the Trojans with a match-high 12 kills apiece while Jodorrian Taylor added eight. McBride also led the match in aces (6) while Bethany Henry came up with a mach-high three blocks. Makenzy Johnson assisted on 23 kills while Emma Quarles has 16. Alexis Baker came off the bench with 19 digs as McBride came up with 11 digs in the afternoon matchup.
 

 Next Up
The Trojans are set to take on the Bears of Shaw University at 6pm October 28. The matchup will be at the home of the Bears, as the Trojans will look to snap an eight-game losing streak against SU.