Virginia State split a doubleheader with Winston-Salem, improving the Trojans’ record to 5-8 overall and 4-1 in CIAA play.

Gracie Darville led the Virginia State offense with nine kills and a .474 hitting percentage in the first match, while Kellee Craig anchored the defense with 14 digs. Skylar Johnson added a team-high two aces, and Daisy Pentorn recorded 10 assists to help the Trojans secure a 3-0 sweep. 

In the first set, Virginia State jumped out to a 25-15 win, never trailing by more than five points. After two early lead changes, the Trojans seized control at 7-6 and maintained the advantage, supplementing their attack with three aces. The Trojans rolled to a 25- 16 victory in the second set, opening up a nine-point lead and never looking back. Three more aces fueled the set, keeping Winston-Salem off balance. Virginia State dominated the final set 25-15, opening a 17-7 lead before finishing strong with 15 kills. 

In the second match, Darville again paced the offense with 24 kills and a .408 hitting percentage, while Amaya Cooper contributed 11 kills. Craig led the defense with 23 digs, and Peyton Reese dished out 19 assists. Despite winning the first two sets, Virginia State fell in a dramatic five-set battle. 

The Trojans earned a 25-21 victory in the first set, posting a .351 attack percentage with 17 kills and opening a 23-17 lead late in the set. Virginia State took control early in the second set and cruised to a 25-19 win, holding as much as a nine-point advantage and recording five blocks in the stanza. Winston-Salem avoided a sweep with a 25- 18 victory in the third set. Virginia State trailed by as many as eight points and never regained the lead. The Trojans dropped the fourth set 25-20, falling behind on the first point and unable to recover. A late rally by Winston-Salem overcame a 10-3 Virginia State lead in the fifth set, handing the Trojans a 15-13 loss in the decisive set and sealing the match at 3-2. 

Virginia State now looks to carry momentum from the first match into its next CIAA contest.