Elizabeth City, N.C. (Oct. 14, 2024)- The Virginia State volleyball team earned a 3-1 victory over Elizabeth City State University.
In set one the Vikings held ab eight to seven advantage before VSU scored seven of the next eight points to take the lead at 14-9. ECSU would score two quick points before the Trojans once against went on a large run scoring 10 of the 13 points to get to set point at 24-14. During the run Gracie Darville recorded four kills and Helena Eubanks had two. ECSU did manage to get to 18 points but a kill from Amaya Cooper won the set for VSU 25-18.
In set two Virginia State held a 5-4 advantage before ECSU went on a 6-1 run where they only registered one kill to take control at 10-6. The Trojans would tie the game at 12 after an attacking error by the Vikings. After back-to-back attack errors, Virginia State got their first lead in the set since it was 5-4, at 17-15. However, ECSU would tie the game back at 20. VSU would end the set scoring the final two points to take set two 25-23.
The third set was tightly contested as the teams would be dead locked at nine apiece. ECSU would then score six of the next eight points to take a 15-11 lead. The Vikings would keep all the momentum going as they would lead 20-14. VSU would score three straight points from two errors and a kill From Cooper to stop the ECSU run and make the score 21-17. Elizabeth City State would be the first team to 24 but VSU battled back to make it a 24-23 game and a kill from Darville tied the game. However, the Vikings would win the set 28-26.
VSU opened the fourth set with a 9-5 lead with five different Trojans recording a kill. The teams would then go back and forth before ECSU made it a two-point game at 14-12. Virginia State would get to the 20-point mark first after an attacking error by ECSU making it 20-15. The Trojans would hold on to their five-point advantage and held a 23-18 lead after an error from ECSU. Eubanks would deliver the winning kill giving VSU the set 25-21 and the match 3-1.
Darville led the game with 15 kills followed close behind by Eubanks with 14. Leila Jackson had a game high 21 assists. VSU is now 6-5 and 4-1 in conference while ECSU drops to 6-11 and 3-1. The Trojans will play their first home game on Thursday October 17 a gains Lincoln University at 6 p.m.
