Sept. 27, 2010

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Redshirt senior Samantha Chukwura (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and sophomore Basil Melek (Grand Prairie, Texas) have been named University of Maryland Eastern Shore Athletes of the Week for the period ending Sept. 26.

Chukwura, a middle blocker on the women's volleyball team, helped the Hawks to a 3-1 mark at the NCCU Tournament in Durham, N.C., en route to all-tournament team honors.

Chukwura, averaged 3.00 kills per set, while hitting .465 (39 kills, six errors, 71 total attacks) for the week. Her best individual performance came in a 3-1 win against Hampton with 11 kills, two digs and 1.5 blocks, hitting .500.

UMES (8-9), winner of seven of its last nine matches, opens its home slate this weekend (Oct. 1-2), hosting the six-team UMES Hawk Invitational.

Melek, of the men's cross-country team, finished third in the Towson Invitational in Hunt Valley, Md. Melek ran the six-kilometer course in 25:58.83, helping his team to a third-place finish overall with 39 points.

UMES is off this week before traveling to the Delaware State Open on Oct. 8.