Aug. 27, 2016
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Any jitters that the Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball team may have had after playing four close sets against Texas Southern early Saturday did not carry over to the nightcap against Jackson State. The Hawks finished their run at the ISTAP Collegiate Challenge a perfect 4-0 with a sweep (25-19, 25-18, 25-14) of the Tigers Saturday night in Montgomery.
"I'm very pleased with the effort we gave and the focus we maintained from start to finish against Jackson State." Coach Toby Rens said post-match.
Rens has plenty of reasons to be pleased. The Hawks converted just over 40% of their attacks and the team scattered seven aces and four solo blocks during the match. Additionally the Hawks edged the Tigers in digs, 33-28, and assists, 35-25.
The middle blocking was particularly effective. Junior Alana Polk (Houston, Texas) was 9-for-12 in attacks without an error and added a solo block. Sophomore Marta Klafuric (Donja Lomnica, Croatia) was nearly as efficient, going 7-for-11 with no errors and a pair of solo blocks.
Largely due to a well-balanced effort, sophomore Rachel Kayongo (Northridge, California) was the only player to tally double figures in kills with 10. Junior Kirstin Fink (Tucson, Arizona) provided steady hands at setter with 30 assists.
Maryland Eastern Shore nearly led wire-to-wire in the match. The first set was tight early but the Hawks slowly and steady built the lead up, eventually winning by six. Two aces by Fink set the tone early in the second set, and by the 25th rally the Hawks already stood ahead by five. They rode the momentum to a seven point win.
Jackson State kept the third set close early but the Hawks delivered the knockout blow midway thru the set. Two kills each from Polk and freshman Iva Vujosevic (Bar, Montenegro) capped off a six point rally and turned a two point edge into an eight point gap. Kills by Polk and Kayongo ended the night on a high note as the Hawks won by 11, their most decisive set win of the season.
For the second straight year, the Hawks swept all matches at the first tournament of the season. Coach Rens attributes the success to his players rising to challenges all weekend long. "Collectively we really stepped it up this weekend. We seemed to be at our best when it mattered most."
The Hawks will now return home for The Shore Courtyard Classic presented by Courtyard by Marriott. The tournament's opening match will feature Maryland Eastern Shore and the American Eagles at 7 p.m. inside the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.
