ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The South Carolina State women's volleyball team returns to the friendly confines of Dukes Gymnasium Friday, Nov. 6, when the Lady Bulldogs host Norfolk State in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) matchup. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
The Lady Bulldogs (6-21 overall, 1-10 MEAC), under the direction of interim head coach Chymaine Guinyard, look to capitalize on their home-court advantage and return to the win column against a Norfolk State squad that enters the contest with a 9-15 overall record and a 5-6 mark in conference play.
South Carolina State is seeking to avenge an earlier 3-0 setback to the Spartans on Oct. 9 in Norfolk, Virginia. In that meeting, Norfolk State claimed the victory by scores of 25-10, 25-20 and 25-21.
The Lady Bulldogs have shown flashes of strong play throughout the season, including a convincing 3-0 conference victory over Maryland Eastern Shore on Oct. 23 at Dukes
Gymnasium. SC State dominated that contest by scores of 25-17, 25-20 and 25-16 to earn its first MEAC victory of the season.
SC State enters Friday's matchup following consecutive road losses to Coppin State and Morgan State and will look to regain momentum in front of its home crowd.
SC State Players to Watch
The Lady Bulldogs feature several key contributors who have provided consistent production on offense, defense and at the net this season.
- Kenna Harris: Leads the Bulldogs with 212 kills, averaging 2.28 kills per set, while contributing 27 total blocks.
- Amani Hawkins: Ranks second on the team with 160 kills, averaging 2.13 per set, along with 11 total blocks.
- Carra Pierre-Louis: Has registered 112 kills, averaging 2.00 per set, while adding 49 digs and 10 service aces.
- Ki'ra Wright: Leads SC State defensively with 297 digs, averaging 3.09 per set, while contributing 104 kills and 24 service aces.
- Macey McCoy: Leads the Bulldogs with 342 assists, averaging 4.38 per set, while adding 111 digs.
- Arianna James: Has contributed 330 assists, averaging 3.98 per set, along with 116 digs and 15 service aces.
- De'oni McPhearson: Leads the Bulldogs at the net with 48 total blocks, including 28 solo blocks.
- Taelyn Graham: Has recorded 78 kills with a team-best .235 hitting percentage among players with at least 100 attempts, while contributing 41 total blocks.
Scouting Norfolk State
Norfolk State enters Friday's contest looking to complete the regular-season sweep of South Carolina State.
The Spartans are led offensively by Gabrielle Gilbert, who has recorded a team-high 369 kills, averaging 4.05 per set. Gilbert also leads Norfolk State with 53 service aces.
Kyleigh Moore has contributed 225 kills, while Jasmine Mataira directs the Spartans' offense with 557 assists.
Defensively, Jazeli Vandenburgh leads Norfolk State with 273 digs, while Ava Berry has anchored the team's blocking efforts with 86 total blocks.
Norfolk State enters the matchup averaging 10.91 kills, 11.64 digs and 2.02 blocks per set.
By the Numbers: SC State vs. Norfolk State
Season statistics through Nov. 1, 2026.
| Category |
SC State |
Norfolk State |
| Overall record |
6-21 |
9-15 |
| MEAC record |
1-10 |
5-6 |
| Total kills |
992 |
993 |
| Kills per set |
10.33 |
10.91 |
| Hitting percentage |
.114 |
.206 |
| Total assists |
904 |
905 |
| Service aces |
131 |
213 |
| Total digs |
1,235 |
1,059 |
| Digs per set |
12.86 |
11.64 |
| Total blocks |
146 |
184 |
Keys to the Matchup
South Carolina State will look to establish offensive consistency, improve its efficiency at the net and capitalize on its defensive strengths.
The Bulldogs hold an advantage in digs per set, averaging 12.86 compared with Norfolk State's 11.64. Maintaining that defensive effort while limiting attack errors will be important against a Spartans squad hitting .206 on the season.
SC State will also look to generate production from Harris, Hawkins and Pierre-Louis while relying on McCoy and James to distribute the offense.
With the regular season winding down, Friday's contest presents another opportunity for the Bulldogs to build momentum and compete for a conference victory on their home floor.
Match Information
Matchup: South Carolina State vs. Norfolk State
Date: Friday, Nov. 6, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: Dukes Gymnasium, Orangeburg, S.C.
Conference: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
FOLLOW THE ACTION
For the latest news, schedules and updates on South Carolina State volleyball, visit
www.scsuathletics.com.
