The Norfolk State volleyball team showed flashes of brilliance but could not pull out the upset victory against nine-time defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion Florida A&M in a 3-1 loss Monday night at Joseph Echols Hall.In the conference opener for both teams, the Rattlers took the first set, 25-18, and the second set, 25-21, before NSU stormed back to take the third set, 25-21. The Spartans could not sustain that momentum as FAMU won the decisive fourth set, 25-17.
FAMU improved to 2-11 with a 1-0 mark in the MEAC now, while NSU dropped to 5-14 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
Freshman Arielle Knafel had one of her strongest showings of the year with 17 kills on a .214 attack percentage to go along with 12 digs and three blocks, while sophomore Charlotte Armstead totaled 12 kills.
Freshman Noelle Eagles totaled 26 digs, and junior Nicole Kessner handed out 40 assists.
Junior Jasmine Frazier had six blocks as NSU held an 8-5 advantage in team blocks on the night. The Spartans also attacked at a .101 clip while limiting the Rattlers to a .097 attack percentage. NSU also had a 73-66 edge in digs, while FAMU had eight service aces to just one for the Spartans.
Ashley Johnson led the Rattlers with 10 kills on the night, with Katherine Huanec adding nine kills. Diana Gonzalez posted 30 assists, and Susan Egoavil led the backcourt defense with a team-high 22 digs.