Morgan State University Athletics

BALTIMORE, Md. (Oct. 23, 2026)--On Friday night the Morgan State Bears returned to Hill Field House after a two-match road trip and looked to extend their winning streak to five consecutive matches. Their opponent today, the Norfolk State Spartans, had other ideas, as they would claim a 3-2 victory (25-18, 24-26, 27-29, 25-20, 15-11) to defeat Morgan State in its Hall of Fame/Alumni Match.
 
Morgan State fell to 6-14, 5-3 MEAC, while Norfolk State improved to 8-14, 4-5 MEAC and avenged a 3-1 loss to the Bears a month ago in the MEAC opener in Gill Gymnasium.
 
The Bears loss spoiled what was a career night for several Lady Bears. Hanna Nemeth set a career-high 21 kills, while recording eight digs and tied a career-high two service aces. Michaela Panekova tied a career-high 18 kills and posted a career-high five service aces. Isabelle Brown finished with a career-high seven kills, 43 assists and nine digs.
 
Norfolk State was led by Gabrielle Gilbert, who finished with a match-high 28 kills and added 10 digs to record a double-double. Kyleigh Moore totaled 19 kills, and Aliyah Torres posted a match-high 19 digs. Jasmine Mataire finished with a match-high 56 assists.
 
The Bears came out with momentum to start Set 1 jumping to an early 3-0 lead but the Spartans were more than ready to respond, going on an immediate run of their own winning the next six points and creating a 6-3 advantage early. Both teams would fight for control for the majority of the opening set with multiple ties occurring. Ultimately the Spartans would create distance with a couple of crucial challenges at the net going their way. Gilbert would end Set 1 with her fifth kill of the match securing the set for the Spartans
 
Set 2 would pick up right were opening set left off in terms of intensity with the set containing a total of 13 ties and six lead changes. Similar to Set 1, Morgan would jump out to an early advantage holding a 5-2 lead before the Spartans rallied and took the lead 7-6. With the set even at 24, a Brian Ellis service error would put the Lady Bears up a point before Panekova's eighth kill ended the set 26-24 Morgan.
 
Set 3 would see Morgan State hold control for the vast majority of the set however with Morgan leading 20-18, Norfolk State would make a late push winning the next five points and capturing a late 23-20 lead. But Panekova's tenth kill of the evening would be the spark of a late set Bears comeback. Panekova would also record a service ace to tie the set at 23 all. Both teams would take turns trading points until Panekova's eleventh kill of the night gave Morgan the lead 28-27 before an eventually service error would give Morgan the third set and the 2-1 lead.
 
Morgan looked to put Norfolk away but, In many ways, Set 4 was a response from the Spartans. Norfolk took hold of the first seven points of the set with a majority of the run coming from Morgan State attack errors. It wouldn't take long for Morgan to match Norfolk's urgency to the fourth set. kills by Jada Williams, Panekova, Nemeth, Tyrah Weems and Brown would all prove pivotal in bringing the Bears back and tying the set up at 15. Norfolk ultimately took Set 4, 25-20 with kills from outside hitters Moore and Gilbert as well as middle blocker Ava Berry gave Norfolk the late push needed to take this to a fifth and decisive set.
 
Tension was palpable inside Hill Field House, as Set 5 began. Both teams would trade rallies with six ties occurring in the final frame when a service ace by Catori Crawford gave Norfolk a 12-11 lead late in Set 5. Gilbert's season-high 28th kill of the evening gave the Spartans a 14-11 before an attack error ended the night securing the win for Norfolk State.
 
The Bears will be back in action on Sunday afternoon as they travel to Washington, D.C. to take rival Howard in a highly anticipated match at 1 p.m. at Burr Gymnasium, live on the MEAC Network.
 
 
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 150 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.