PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball team fell to the Delaware State University Hornets in four sets on Friday (November 12) in their final regular season match of the season. The scores by set were 25-18, 20-25, 21-25 and 22-25.
The match was senior day for Maryland Eastern Shore. The accomplishments of the senior class – Alexis Lee, Stella Johnson, Mauri Carver, Tijana Korosec and Marina Cruz – were celebrated before the match began.
"This was a really good team effort today because everybody was doing their part," head coach Trevor Callarman said. "I know that the underclassmen were really fighting hard for the seniors and that's all you can ask for on senior night."
In the opening set, the Hawks got off to a fast start and following a kill from Cruz the team was up 10-5. Later on in the set, the team would go on a 5-0 run after being up 13-10 to take control of the frame. DSU would not get closer than six for the remainder of the set as a kill from freshman Charlize Williams ended the frame and gave The Shore a 1-0 lead in the match.
The second set saw both teams trade the lead several times before the score was tied at 16. Cruz got an ace to give the Hawks the lead, but the Hornets responded with six straight points and forced a timeout by Callarman.
Junior Derionah Abner got a kill after the break and then combined with Carver for a block to bring Eastern Shore within three at 22-19. The Hawks had an attack error after that and despite a service error from Delaware State, they could not win the set and the match was tied at one.
In the third set, Maryland Eastern Shore held a 13-8 lead following a block from Williams and Cruz. Delaware State would eventually tie the score at 16. They would score four of the next five points to take a 20-17 advantage. The visitors would keep the Hawks at bay for the remainder of the set and take a 2-1 lead.
The final set was another back and forth battle. The score was tied six different times before the frame was tied at nine. DSU would eventually get up 15-12 and force a Hawks timeout. The team would get the next two points out of the break via a ball handling error from the Hornets and a block from Carver and Abner to get within one.
The set continued to remain close until the end. However, despite a valiant effort from the Hawks, DSU maintained the lead and were able to outlast Eastern Shore.
Maryland Eastern Shore had strong performances from each of its seniors. Cruz ended up one dig away from a double-double as she finished with a team-high 13 kills and nine digs. She also had a career high of six blocks. Johnson finished with 21 digs, which is the highest number she has had in a MEAC contest this season.
Carver had six kills and five blocks, Lee finished with six kills and Korosec had 13 assists and three digs in her first match back from injury.
"All the seniors played really well," Callarman said. "Stella balled out on defense, Mauri was a big force at the net, Marina was solid all match and Tijana and Lexi (Alexis Lee) came off injuries and played great volleyball."
The MEAC Tournament begins on Thursday (November 19) inside Burr Gymnasium on the campus of Howard University. The Hawks will be the fifth seed and play at 2 p.m. Their opponent will be Coppin State or North Carolina Central.
