Morgan State University Athletics

NORFOLK, Va. (Oct. 10, 2010)-Makila Billingsley recorded a match-high 16 kills and Madison Grace added 14, but it wasn't enough as Morgan State fell to host Norfolk State, 3-1 (16-25, 25-21, 15-25, 26-28) in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) contest on Sunday afternoon at Gill Gymnasium.
 
Morgan State fell to 3-16 overall and 1-4 in the MEAC, while Norfolk State improved to 6-11, 2-4 MEAC.
 
The Spartans were led by Paola Matos, who recorded 14 kills and Shonte Seale, who added 13 kills. Rachel Williams finished with a double-double of 10 kills and 11 digs. Nicole Rodriguez had a match-high 24 digs and Caris Cross finished with a match-best 43 assists.
 
Norfolk State finished the contest with 50 kills and hit .207 as a team. The Spartans finished with eight service aces, but committed 11 service errors. Morgan State, which did not record a service ace in the match, had 11 service errors.
 
Trailing 2-1, Morgan State appeared to be on the verge of forcing a fifth set. The Lady Bears held a 22-15 advantage in Set 4, following a kill by Grace and led 24-19 after another kill by Grace. Norfolk State would not go away, as the Spartans countered with six straight points to take a 25-24 lead.
 
The guests got back-to-back points on an attack error and a kill from Gabriela Hiciano to take a 26-25 lead. Norfolk State would close out the match with three consecutive kills, two straight by Seale and Matos' kill put the match away, giving the Spartans a 28-26 victory.
 
Mackenzie Jefferson collected a double-double with 38 assists and 14 digs, both team highs for Morgan State and Jadore Hayes added 13 digs. Tyasia McDuffie and Alyssa Sampson finished with 11 and 10 digs, respectively.
 
The Lady Bears return to the court on Friday, Oct. 15 when they play host to Delaware State at 6 p.m. at Hill Field House. The Hornets (18-1, 6-0 MEAC) are coming off a 3-0 (25-9, 25-11, 25-10) victory at home over South Carolina State on Sunday. The win extended Delaware State's school-record winning streak to 14 straight. It was also the Hornets' fifth consecutive shutout victory and 15th this season.