Sept. 5, 2008
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Lady Hawks Volleyball Team will continue to battle on the road in Baltimore, Md., where they face off against the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Retrievers in their tournament. Also included in the tournament are the Duquesne University Dukes and the Niagara University Purple Eagles. The matches are set to take place in the UMBC Retrievers Activity Center (RAC) Arena starting with UMBC taking on Niagara at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 5.
The Lady Hawks, now 1-2, will begin play Friday night against UMBC. UMES senior setter Christina EstebanÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'ââ'¬Â '© is coming off an impressive showing in the Virginia Tech Hokie Invite. The MEAC Player of the Week totaled 110 assists, 14 kills and 26 digs over the weekend. Garnering All-Tournament honors, EstebanÃÆ'Æ'Æ'ÃÆ'ââ'¬Â '© will be setting to standout freshman Christine Edwards, who was MEAC Rookie of the Week. She was second on the team in kills with 39. The 2007 MEAC Player of the Year Whitney Johnson played in all three matches and led the team with 43 kills.
The Retrievers enter the tournament 3-1, posting a 2-1 record at the William and Mary Invitational and having swept UMES MEAC rival Howard 3-0. Freshman Alyssa Lang leads the team in kills with 43. UMBC will look to her and sophomore setter Kira Giles to lead them to victory. Both Lang and Giles were named to the All-Tournament Team.
The Dukes are coming to Baltimore undefeated with three players at 30 plus kills. At the front of the pack is junior outside hitter Jessica Artman who leads the team in kills (39) and attack percentage* (.397). Joining her is the Atlantic 10 Conference Co-Rookie of the Week Tricia Mullen, who put together 50 digs and 30 kills this past weekend.
Niagara will be looking for their first win of the season when they face off against UMBC on the first day of competition. They come into the weekend with five players in double digits in kills. On the attack, is freshman outside hitter Hannah Hendrick, who leads the team with 23 kills. While sophomore middle hitter Lauren Costello and freshman outside hitter Holly Allgeier tied for second best with 17 a piece. Leading the defense will be freshman libero Samantha Morgan, who has 46 digs this season.
*Based on players with over 10 total attacks.
