PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – The University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball team will make its longest trip of the season this weekend, taking on South Carolina State University and North Carolina Central University in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.
First up is the Bulldogs (0-14, 0-3 MEAC) on Friday (October 7) in Orangeburg at 7 p.m., then the squad gets a day off for travel to Durham and a match with the Eagles (3-11, 2-1 MEAC) on Sunday (October 9) at 1 p.m.
Checking in with the Hawks
Through three conference games and past the halfway point in the season, the Hawks sit at 2-12 with out-of-conference wins over Manhattan College and Sienna College. Last time out the Hawks wrapped up the out of conference portion of the season in an 0-3 loss at American University this past Tuesday (October 4).
Derionah Abner has been leading the Hawks nearly all season in kills with 115 and is tied with
Nkemjika Ikemefuna for second on the team at 2.17 in kills per set.
Ranyla Griggs is first with 2.23 kills per set.
Setting duties continue to be charged by
Sophia Chacon (280 assists) and
Romina Vacca (157 assists) – the two combined for 24 against American.
Charlize Williams remains at second in the conference in blocks per set (.92) and is also second in solo blocks with 13, just one behind the MEAC leader. In the backcourt the Hawks have
Valeria Matias seventh in the conference with 3.02 digs a set splitting time at libero and defensive specialist.
About the Bulldogs
Recent history hasn't been polite to the Bulldogs, currently sitting on a 14-game losing streak for the season and have not won a match at all since against Savannah State in 2018 – which was also their last MEAC victory.
For the season the Bulldogs have been outscored 174-378 have finished with more than 21 kills in match just once. The attack is fronted by Semira Fields with 55 kills, the next closest is Eleisha Thompson with 30 – five Hawks have over 59 kills to compare.
Running a 5-1 rotation, the Bulldogs have a lead setter in Siela Avea with 124 assists and the rest of the team combining for 35.
A Hawk offense that has been struggling to hit as of late should be able to take advantage of the Bulldog defense that sits last in the country with a .346 opponent attack percentage against. Gabrielle Panzetta leads the team with 17 total blocks, which has her tied at 10
th in the conference at .71 blocks per set.
Scouting the Eagles
If the Hawks don't fall for the trap game on Friday, they will look to keep the momentum going on Sunday at North Carolina Central. The Eagles lost to Elon on Tuesday (October 5) and host a tough Delaware State team on Friday (October 7) but have wins against Morgan State and South Carolina State while also forcing a fifth set with Coppin.
It's a two-headed attack for the Eagles, with Kamren Harper and Tori Wilson both racking up over 110 kills so far this season to put them on the conference leader boards. Harper has averaged 2.47 kills per set and Wilson being the sniper at a .260 hitting percentage.
Wilson makes an appearance in the defensive stats as well at eighth in the conference in blocks per set a .76 – 11 have been solo. Loren Johnson leads the team with three 20-plus dig games, averaging 3.90 a set, third in the conference.
As a team, the Hawks will need to stay present on the defensive serve, the Eagles are tied for third in the conference with Howard with 1.69 aces per set and the Hawks have allowed 2.55 per set.
How to Follow
Friday's match against South Carolina State will not be tracked via Live Stats or streamed but a box score and recap will follow shortly after. For Sunday, links to both Live Stats and streaming are available on www.easternshorehawks.com.
