Delaware State rallied from a first-set loss to beat Norfolk State 3-1 on Senior Day, with 16 aces exposing the Spartans’ serve-receive struggles. Norfolk State honored five seniors and matched the Hornets in blocks while narrowly out-hitting them, but couldn’t overcome 16 reception errors.

By the Numbers
  • Final: Delaware State 3, Norfolk State 1 (14-25, 25-13, 25-20, 25-22).
  • Delaware State: 16 aces; Norfolk State: 16 reception errors.
  • Norfolk State: 9-15 overall, 5-6 MEAC; Delaware State: 17-8 overall, 8-3 MEAC.
Yes, But

Norfolk State out-hit Delaware State .190 to .185 and tied it with 9.0 team blocks, showing the match was close in other areas. But the Hornets’ serving pressure proved decisive, especially in the second and third sets.

What's Next

Norfolk State finishes the regular season with three road matches, beginning at South Carolina State on Nov. 6, followed by NC Central on Nov. 8 and Howard on Nov. 13. The MEAC Volleyball Championship is set for Nov. 20-22 in Baltimore.

Bottom Line

The Spartans’ Senior Day ended in defeat, but the matchup’s clearest lesson was that strong hitting and blocking couldn’t offset a costly serve-receive gap.