RICHMOND, Va. – Elizabeth City State volleyball pushed Virginia Union to the brink in all three sets but came up just short in a 3-0 loss (31-29, 25-21, 26-24) Thursday night inside historic Barco-Stevens Hall.

The Vikings (0-9, 0-1 CIAA) had their best offensive showing of the season, hitting .126 as a team with three players tallying seven or more kills. Clarke Blakemore paced the attack with nine kills and added three aces, while Christen Brisbane and Jorja Hoffman each chipped in seven kills apiece.

ECSU's service game was a highlight, delivering 11 aces, including four from Hoffman and three each from Blakemore and Serenity Lunnermon. Lunnermon also set the tone offensively with 23 assists and contributed eight digs.

Defensively, Sydnee White anchored the back row with a match-high 15 digs, joined by Hoffman with 12.

The opening frame was a thriller, with both teams trading points deep into extra rallies. Behind steady swings from Blakemore and Brisbane, the Vikings nearly stole momentum, but the Panthers capitalized late to edge out a 31–29 decision.

In the second set, ECSU continued to battle with balanced scoring from Blakemore,Hoffman, and Brisbane. Lunnermon directed the offense with precision, dishing out assists that kept the Viking attack in rhythm. Despite the effort, Virginia Union pulled away in the closing points to secure a 25–21 win.

The third set mirrored the intensity of the first, as Hoffman sparked the Vikings with consecutive kills and aces to give ECSU a 15–12 advantage. Blakemore and Brisbane added key points at the net, while Lunnermon delivered another ace to keep the score tight. With the set tied 24–24 after a clutch ace from Brisbane, the Panthers managed the final two points to claim the match with a 26–24 victory.

The ECSU volleyball team returns to Elizabeth City for their next match on Monday, September 29th, hosting the Bowie State Bulldogs at 6 pm inside Williams Hall.