Aug. 28, 2010

HAMPTON, Va. - Freshman Maline Vaitai (Salt Lake City, Utah) was named to the Tiny Laster Memorial Tournament All-Tournament Team Saturday.

A 6-foot outside hitter, Vaitai recorded 62 kills and 31 digs, helping UMES to a 1-3 record to open the season in the tournament hosted by Hampton. Vaitai averaged 3.22 kills and 1.72 digs per game for the Hawks. Her best performance came in her first collegiate match against Towson. Vaitai tallied 19 kills, five digs, four block assists and an ace while hitting .182.

Vaitai was joined on the all-tournament team by co-MVPs Katy Buck (Towson) and Sheileen Pagan (Hampton) as well as Hampton's Aaryn Harrison, South Carolina State's Jarne Gleaton, Catelyn Amende from Wofford and Jadith Lorenzo from Bryant.

UMES is back in action Sept. 3-4 at the Fiesta Bowl Classic, hosted by Northern Arizona. The Hawks will play Rider Friday at 7 p.m. Eastern and then face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (noon) and NAU (10 p.m.) on Saturday.