Vikings Close Day Two at Fairmont State Classic with Pair of Setbacks

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Elizabeth City State dropped both of its matches on Saturday at the Fairmont State Classic, falling in straight sets to Palm Beach Atlantic in the morning and to UVA Wise in the afternoon inside Joe Retton Arena.

Game 1: Palm Beach Atlantic 3, ECSU 0

In the opener, the Vikings were swept 3-0 by Palm Beach Atlantic (25-17, 25-23, 25-15). ECSU nearly leveled the match in the second set, holding late leads before the Sailfish rallied to edge out a 25-23 decision.

Andrea Rose and Christen Brisbane paced the Viking offense with seven kills apiece, while Clarke Blakemore added four kills and three blocks. Jorja Hoffman recorded a match-high four service aces, and setters Serenity Lunnermon and Paola Gonzalez split 24 assists. Defensively, Raven Bailey and Kendall Washington collected eight digs each.

Palm Beach Atlantic (2-1) was led by Harper Stokes' 11 kills and five blocks as the Sailfish hit .252 as a team.

Game 2: UVA Wise 3, ECSU 0

In the afternoon match, ECSU faced UVA Wise and dropped another hard-fought 3-0 contest (25-11, 25-19, 25-22). After a slow start in the opening frame, the Vikings responded with improved play in the final two sets, rallying late in the third before the Cavaliers held on.

Washington led the offense with nine kills, while Brisbane chipped in seven and Rose added five. Gonzalez (13 assists) and Lunnermon (12 assists) again shared setting duties, and Bailey matched Lunnermon with 11 digs apiece to anchor the back row. Blakemore contributed two aces and two blocks at the net.

UVA Wise (2-2) was led by Mia Poag's eight kills and 11 digs, while Piper Suddeth tallied six service aces and 18 assists.

The Vikings (0-4) will look to bounce back as they continue nonconference play next weekend at the IUP Classic.