ETTRICK, VA (October 16, 2021)- Virginia State took down their cross-town in the Panthers of Virginia Union in straight sets Thursday night inside of Barco-Stevens Hall.
 
 
Set 1
VSU scored four of the first five points to start the match. Virginia Union would capitalize off the mistakes of VSU to bring the score to 10-8 in favor of VSU. The Panthers would then proceed to score three unanswered points to take the lead 11-10. After a VSU timeout, the Trojans scored four of five points to bring the score to 14-12 midway through the first set. The squad's would trade scoring runs until the score was knotted at 21 all. Kills from Ambria McBride and Jodorrian Taylor along with an ace from Najlaa Williams allowed the Trojans the close out the opening set 25-21.
 
Set 2
The second set started as a back-and-forth affair as the two teams tied the second set at 4-4. VUU would try their best to run away with it as a 3-0 run gave the Panthers the lead 7-4. The Trojans would claw their way back to a tie at 11. Following a timeout by the Panthers, the Trojans scored four-straight behind an ace from Bethany Henry and kills from McBride and Taylor to make the score 15-11. The Panthers would best the Trojans in scoring runs as VUU brought themselves to within two at 21-19. Much like previous set, Virginia State would go on the most important scoring run of the set to give VSU to win 25-21.
 
Set 3
Similar to set two, the two teams traded points to bring the score to 8 a peice. A string of mistakes allowed the Trojans to score five unanswered points to make the score 13-8. A kill from Henry would spring the Trojans into another 5-0 scoring run as Eubanks, McBride and Taylor contributed to the run that extended the VSU lead to 18-10. The Panthers would not give up hope as they were able to trade points with VSU until the Trojans ended the set with a 3-0 run to make the score 25-15.
 
Leaders
The Trojans beat the Panthers in every category accounting for 67 digs, 42 kills and five aces on the evening. Ambria McBride tied for the match-high in kills with 11 as Helena Eubanks and Jodorrian Taylor came away with nine kills apiece. Najlaa Williams placed her serves in tough spots for VUU as the freshman had a match-high three aces. Makenzy Johnson and Emma Quarles combined for 34 assists in the evening contest. Najlaa Williams led her team in digs for the third match in a row with 20 while Makenzy Johnson had 12.
 
 
 Next Up
The Trojans will return home for Senior Day as the squad takes on the Bulldogs of Bowie State University at 6pm on November 8.