PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — In a thrilling, evenly matched contest at the Hytche Center Friday (Nov. 9), the University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball team fell in a heartbreaker to Coppin State. The Hawks rallied to force a fifth set, only to drop the match 3-2 (25-22, 24-26, 13-25, 25-17, 16-18).
Maryland Eastern Shore (9-15, 6-3 MEAC) and Coppin State (11-19, 5-4 MEAC) scratched and clawed each other for every person. The result was the Eagles earned 48 kills to the Hawks' 47. The Shore hit .198 to Coppin's .192, and the teams equalled each other in assists with 42 and blocks with six.
Freshman Mauri Carver (Elizabeth City, North Carolina) was the most efficient hitter for the Hawks. She planted down nine kills over 15 attempts. With only one error to her name she compiled a .533 hitting percentage.
Junior Ivana Blazevic (Zagreb, Croatia) contributed an all-around performance of 37 assists, 3-for-9 on attacks, four blocks and four digs. Senior Lucia Babic (Sisak, Croatia) tied a match high with 13 kills and senior Rachel Kayongo (Northridge, California) added 11 kills. Fellow senior Koya Sowells (Missouri City, Texas) supplied 11 digs and three assists.
Coppin State received 13 kills each from Miajavon Coleman and Jordan Celestine, as well as a match high 14 digs from Chelsie Kolibar.
The match was competitive throughout, but especially in sets one, two and five. Each side squeaked out wins in the first two sets. Coppin overwhelmed the Hawks in set three, and The Shore returned the favor in set four.
The fifth set was grinding as neither team could build a lead greater than three. Maryland Eastern Shore built the lead to 8-5, but Coppin State rallied off four of the next five to tie. The teams split the next 10 points to force extra time. A Hawks attack error and a kill from Coppin's Coleman sealed the win for the Eagles.
Maryland Eastern Shore will have to rebound to cement second place for the MEAC's Northern Division at the upcoming conference championship. A victory against Morgan State Sunday (Nov. 11) will secure that. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Hytche Center.
