Orangeburg, SC—SC State stood strong as they held off a threatening Norfolk State en route to a 3-2, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) victory Wednesday night. With the win, the Lady Bulldogs improves to 11-20 overall and 4-2 in the MEAC while the Spartans fell to 10-17 overall and 4-2 in the MEAC.
SC State appeared to have control of the match as they led Norfolk State two sets to none, (25-20, 25-20), heading into intermission. After the 10-minute intermission, the Spartans came out with tenacity taking the next two sets 23-25 and 21-25 to force a fifth and deciding set.
The deciding set began with the teams exchanging the first four points. After the 2-2 tie, the Lady Bulldogs put together a 4-1 run to jump ahead to a 6-3 lead in the set. The Spartans fought to pull within one, 7-6, but could not get any closer. SC State increased its lead to 8-6 on the changeover and managed to go up by as many as three, 11-8 before going on to capture Set Five 15-9 and the Match 3-2.
As a team SC State played one of its most complete matches of the season recording 56 kills with 54 digs and 17 team blocks. The Lady Bulldogs had three players to record double-digit kills led by Jarne Gleaton (West Columbia, Airport HS) with 18. Gleaton recorded a double-double as she picked up 12 digs with four block-assists in the match. Shabree Roberson (Pflugerville, TX, Connally HS) and Desire Waller (Houston, TX, Alief Taylor HS) had outstanding showings as well. Roberson recorded 13 kills with seven blocks (2 solo, 5 assists) while Waller put down 10 kills with eight block assists.
The Lady Bulldogs received good defensive showings from Tiffane' Jackson (Montgomery, AL, George Washington Carver HS), Melissa Robinson (Tallahassee, FL, Florida High) and E. Paige Webb (Plano, TX, Plano Senior HS). Jackson recorded a game-high nine blocks (1 solo-8 assists) while Robinson and Webb picked up 12 and 10 digs respectively. Junior Setter Bria Brimmer (Austin, TX, Connally HS) recorded a double-double in the match with 44 set assists and 10 digs.
Nicole Kessner led the way for Norfolk State with a triple-double, 13 kills, 26 set assists and 10 digs. Ellica Morris recorded 11 kills while Arielle Knafel picked up 11 digs for the Spartans. Maatra Henderson led the way defensively with a game-high 20 digs in the loss.
SC State will closeout its home regular season next Friday, Nov. 5 when they host Bethune-Cookman at 6 p.m. This will be senior day for the Lady Bulldogs.
Match Notes: SC State hit 77% in set five…The Lady Bulldogs had four players to record double-digit digs…
