Nov. 15, 2008
Box Score
HAMPTON, Va. - After topping northern division rival Delaware State University (DSU) for the third time this season 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-22), the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) women's volleyball team will make their second straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship match appearance.
Rookie of the Year Christine Edwards (Lakewood, Calif.) put together her fifth double-double of the season with a match-high 15 kills and 12 digs. Christina EstebanÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'ââ'¬Â '© was exceptional for the Lady Hawks. The Player of the Year put up a match-high 31 assists, nine digs and seven kills. Leah Amundson (Tucson, Ariz.) ran the defense, finishing with a match-high 15 digs.
UMES (25-8) trailed most of the first set, which saw six ties and four lead changes. DSU had their biggest lead of the match when a kill by Cassandra Joyner put them up 14-8. The Lady Hawks began to fight back and rallied on a 6-0 run to put them ahead 20-19. When the Lady Hornets tied the game at 20, UMES went on a 5-1 run to end the set.
"The team showed a lot of heart and a lot of consistency down the stretch," said Head Coach Don Metil. "Especially in games two and three. We are potentially 75 points away from making history"
UMES rebounded and took control of set two, opening with a 6-0 run. They never relinquished the lead or allowed DSU (16-11) to tie the score. The Lady Hawks averaged a .560 hitting percentage in the last two sets.
"We're a good team that works well under pressure," said EstebanÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'ââ'¬Â '©. "Coming together as a team helps a lot."
Joyner finished with a double-double. She led the Lady Hornets with team-highs of 11 kills and 11 digs. Martina Ferrari had a team-high 22 assists.
UMES now enters the championship match for the second straight year and will face either reigning MEAC champion Florida A&M or Bethune-Cookman University. The pair play for the final spot in the championship at 3:30 p.m. today.
