NORFOLK, Virginia — After going almost six weeks without a win on the road, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball team defeated the Norfolk State University Spartans via sweep on Friday night (October 22) inside Gill Gymnasium. The scores by set were 28-26, 25-22, 25-20.
"It feels great (to get this win) because we came and asserted ourselves on the road," head coach Trevor Callarman said. "This was a fun match and the girls came in and played really good volleyball."
The opening set was tight throughout. The frame saw 17 ties and nine lead changes. After 22 points, the score was tied at 11.
The Spartans held an 18-16 lead late in the set and forced Callarman to take a timeout. The Hawks rebounded from that and were ahead 24-22 and NSU took a timeout. Norfolk State scored four of the next five points to get to set point and the Hawks took another timeout.
Maryland Eastern Shore came out of the break and got a kill from junior Derionah Abner to tie the score. Sophomore Jalynn Robinson got a kill after that and senior Stella Johnson would get an ace to end the set and give the team a 1-0 lead.
The second set started similar to the first as the two teams were tied at eight after 16 points. NSU would eventually get up 11-9 and force a timeout from the Hawks. They kept up the strong play and led 14-10.
Eastern Shore responded to being down four with eight straight points with Abner on the service line. The Shore kept their momentum and would hold a 24-16 lead late in the set. Norfolk State would score six straight points to make the Hawks sweat, but senior Marina Cruz would get a kill to end the frame and put the squad up 2-0.
In the final set, the Hawks had a service error to start the frame. They responded by scoring four straight and would never trail again. Eastern Shore would build their advantage to six as they led 12-6 and the Spartans took a timeout.
Freshman Charlize Williams had a solo block late in the frame to put the team up 21-15. NSU would get the next four points to bring the Hawks' lead down to two. The teams would alternate the next two points after that and Eastern Shore held a 22-20 lead.
Norfolk State committed a service error and an attack error on the next two points to bring the Hawks to match point. Abner would get a kill on the next point and end the match and give the squad a sweep.
Maryland Eastern Shore was without senior outside hitter Alexis Lee on Friday. The Hawks saw strong output from that position in her absence from sophomore Maya Hendricks and Cruz. Hendricks finished with a double-double as she had a game-high 10 kills and 10 digs. Cruz had nine kills and a game-high 13 digs.
"We knew that we were going to use our outsides heavy coming into the match, so Maya and Marina took some big swings tonight," Callarman said. "The highlight for them though was their defense because that's what separated us tonight."
Robinson had a double-double as well with 20 assists and 10 digs. Williams finished with seven kills and four total blocks with a .636 hitting percentage.
Eastern Shore will now face Howard on Sunday (October 24) at home at 2 p.m. Both teams have five conference wins and the winner of the match will be in second place in the MEAC standings.
"We are going to put our best foot forward because we want to break into the top two and enter the tournament there," Callarman said. "Our ticket to begin to earn that is a win against Howard."
