Aug. 30, 2010

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Freshman Maline Vaitai (Salt Lake City, Utah) has been named University of Maryland Eastern Shore Athlete of the Week for the period ending Aug. 29.

Vaitai, an outside hitter on the women's volleyball team, helped the Hawks to a 1-3 record on their opening weekend of play at Hampton's Tiny Last Memorial Tournament Aug. 27-28. UMES fell to Towson, South Carolina State - all in five games - and then rebounded beating the host Lady Pirates in three.

Vaitai was the only member of the Hawks named to the all-tournament team, averaging 3.22 kills and 1.72 digs per game. In her first collegiate match against Towson on Friday, Vaitai had her best individual effort of the weekend. She tallied 19 kills, five digs, four block assists and an ace while hitting.182.

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.