Norfolk, Va. (Oct. 2, 2016) --- Delaware State and Norfolk State split the first two sets before the Spartans pulled away for a 3-1 MEAC victory at NSU's Gill Hall this afternoon.

Norfolk State won the first set 25-19, but the evened the match with a 25-21 victory in set two. The Spartans won 25-20 and 25-16 in the next two sets to earn the win.

In the first set, the Hornets trailed 8-3 before rallying to take the lead. DSU scored the next seven points to open up a 10-8 advantage. Morgan Tennant served up an ace, while Jae Jackson, Danyelle Tucker and MacKenzie VanHienen posted kills during the run.

Norfolk State (3-12; 2-2 MEAC) responded with a 5-0 run to open up a 13-10 lead.

The score was 13-13 before the Spartans regained control of the set.

Delaware State (0-16; 0-3 MEAC) started quickly in the second set, opening up a 7-2 lead on a kill by Jackson.  Norfolk State started to climb back after the Hornets opened up a 10-6 lead on an ace by VanHienen.

The score was 15-15 when Delaware State regained control. The Hornets scored eight of the next nine points, and opened up their biggest lead of the set, 23-16, on a Norfolk State error. Jenessa Helu had two kills to highlight the DSU rally.

The third was tied 10-10 before the Spartans pulled away to lead by as many as eight points.

Norfolk State used a 9-0 run to highlight its set four win.

Helu led the Hornets with a season-high nine kills, while Jackson had eight. Gabriella Enriquez had a team-high 17 kills, while Aaliyah McBean topped all players with 29 digs.

Delaware State had a .076 attack percentage in the match, recording 36 kills and committing 27 errors on 119 attempts.

The Hornets and Spartans had 49 digs each. Delaware State had nine blocks, led by Jackson's six (three solo).

The Hornets are home for their next two matches, beginning with a contest against Coppin State on Friday (Oct. 7) at 7 p.m. The homestand continues next Sunday when Morgan State visits Memorial Hall for a 3 p.m. match.