PEMBROKE, N.C. – Virginia State University volleyball opened the 2026 season with a split on the first day of the UNC Pembroke Invitational on Friday, earning a thrilling five-set victory over Barton before falling to host UNC Pembroke.
The Trojans opened the day with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Barton, taking the match by scores of 25-21, 25-23, 18-25, 14-25 and 15-7.
Virginia State jumped out to an early advantage by claiming the opening two sets before Barton battled back to even the match. The Trojans responded when it mattered most, closing out the decisive fifth set with an 8-2 kill-to-error advantage to secure the season-opening victory.
Gracie Darville led the Trojan offense with 17 kills, while Kyrie Willis added 15 kills. Peyton Reese paced the offense with 30 assists, and Kellee Craig anchored the defense with 19 digs. Virginia State also received seven kills from Noa Roberts and five kills from Celene McLean in the victory.
In the second match of the day, the Trojans faced host UNC Pembroke and fell 3-0 by scores of 25-17, 25-18 and 25-23.
Anya McKinley led Virginia State with nine kills and a .375 hitting percentage, while Darville added seven kills and two service aces. Craig once again led the defensive effort with 13 digs, while Darville and Willis each recorded nine digs.
The Trojans finished the opening day of competition with a 1-1 record and will be back in action tomorrow for Day 2 of the UNC Pembroke Invitational.
