PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – It's the last regular season match of 2022 for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, as the Hawks (8-16, 6-7 MEAC) head to Dover, Delaware on Friday (November 10) for a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference meeting. First serve is set for 6 p.m. at Bayhealth Court, with the Hornets (20-6, 10-3 MEAC) holding the season series so far with a win over the Hawks in September.
Checking In on the Hawks
The Hawks are hot, coming into the game winning three of the last four, only dropping a game at Coppin State but getting sweeps against South Carolina State and North Carolina Central, as well as a Senior Day win over Morgan State on Wednesday (November 9).
With one regular season game remaining the Hawks sit at fifth in the MEAC and are poised to be paired up with Norfolk State in the conference tournament. While the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is in fifth of the conference, they sit above average in most offensive categories and have began shoring up on defense as
Valeria Matias and
Isil Yilmaz have become more comfortable in their first year at the Division 1 level.
Charlize Williams has been the silent anchor for the Hawks, leading the team in both hitting percentage and blocks per set – where she sits sixth and second in the conference. Meanwhile, the combination of
Derionah Abner and
Nkemjika Ikemefuna at the net has served the team well, combining for 347 kills and nearly 400 points.
Ranyla Griggs,
Sydney Morris and
Alexis Lee have all also been key contributors on the court, each with over 90 kills and averaging over 1.5 per set.
Honing In on the Hornets
Delaware State picked up its 20
th victory of the season on Tuesday (November 8) against Morgan State, sweeping the Bears in three sets.
The Hornets are in a tight race at the top of the conference, currently in third place behind Coppin and Howard University. Both the Eagles and Bison have favorable matchups in their regular season finales, making this a pivotal meeting for Delaware State.
While third in the conference, the Hornets have been efficient on paper, leading the conference in most offensive and defensive categories, aided by a senior heavy class that will consists of six that will play their final regular season game on Friday.
Alondra Maldonado and Karen Cordero have been the main one-two punch for the Hornets, both ranking in the top-ten in points per set, both in and out of conference play. Meanwhile Sydney Lewis has been consistent in her hits, ranking first in the conference in hitting percentage.
Like last Friday against Coppin, the Hawks will need to be clean receiving serves, as Cordero ranks first in the conference in aces per set and is 13
th at the nation. Cordero has led the Hornets to being the second best in the nation in aces per set.
Additionally, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore will need to be precise on their hits, as Delaware State is fourth in the nation in opponent hitting percentage.
How to Follow
Delaware State will be providing both a Livestream and Live Stats of the match, links for both will be accessible on the University of Maryland Eastern Shore athletics website.
Keep track of the Hawks on Twitter via @ESHawksVBall.
