Box Score MURFREESBORO- The Chowan University volleyball team picked up a critical CIAA Northern Division victory on Monday evening with a 3-1 victory over Virginia State University.  The Hawks improve to 22-6 on the year and 13-2 in league play with the win.  The Lady Trojans slip to 14-6 overall with the setback and slide to 11-4 in the league. 

Melanie Chaussee led all players in the contest with 14 kills in the victory.  Jordan Miller added eight kills to aid the effort while Suraya Chase notched seven kills for the Blue and White.  Allison Smith notched 35 assists and 12 digs while Cindy Ehrich held down the back row with 23 digs of her own.  Miller added 11 digs for the Hawks in the win. 

Brookie Dargan had a team high nine kills for Virginia State while MiIndia Mansel added eight kills.  Miranda Bass totaled 29 assists.  Dargan, Adriana Hazou, Imani Wood, and Dierdre Carter all notched double-digit digs in the loss, led by Hazou with 23. 

The Hawks earned identical 25-17 victories in the first and second sets.  Chowan grabbed an early 3-0 lead in the first set and maintained the momentum throughout to take an early 1-0 match lead.  With the first set tied 15-15, an attack error by the Lady Trojans sparked a 5-0 run for the Hawks resulting in a 20-15 lead.  Allison Smith's service ace secured the 25-17 win in set one. 

Chowan kept the momentum rolling in set two.  After an early battle, with the set tied 4-4, Chase's service ace gave the Hawks the lead, which they held onto through the remainder of the set.  They confirmed the 25-17 victory with a kill by Miller. 

The Lady Trojans fought back with vengeance in the third set after jumping to 5-0 lead.  Although the Hawks stayed close on their heels, the Lady Trojans maintained the advantage to capture a 25-21 set three victory. 

The fourth set was closely contested and came down to the wire.  Each team fought for control and the advantage until late in the set.  With the score tied 21-21, Chase answered the call for the Blue and White to force four Virginia State errors behind her serves to secure the 25-21 win. 

The Hawks return to their home court on Friday when they host Virginia Union University in a CIAA Northern Division match-up.  First serve is slated for 6:00pm in the Helms Center.  Chowan will recognize seniors Jasmine Chapman, Melanie Chaussee, Lauren East, Nikira Fults, and Allison Smith on Friday.