VESTAL, New York – While the University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball program leaves New York with a 1-2 record there was a wealth of experience gained in the opening weekend of the season. The Hawks swept Sienna College in the morning but were unable to get a perfect day with a loss to Boston College.
 
Game One
 
There was nothing but domination on the court from the Hawks in the first game of the afternoon with Sienna College, sweeping three straight sets 25-16, 25-20 and 26-24.
 
In the first set the Hawks jumped out to a 9-1 lead before seeing resistance from the Saints after five straight points started from Alexis Lee serves. Rookie Anjola Omolewa was key in the set, grabbing three kills, a block and an assist, Lee and Yazmyn Stewart attributed three points apiece in the set, with Sophia Chacon once again keeping the offense going with nine assists and three aces.
 
It was much of the same in the second set, with the Hawks getting an early 8-2 lead before the Saints were able to get a run to lock it up at 11-all. Siena grabbed its only lead of the set off of a service ace to make it 12-11 but the Hawks never looked back after a few errors. Chacon was key again with five assists and Valeria Matias was a master server with three aces.
 
With the two-set advantage, the Hawks still needed to battle for their first win of the early season, seeing two lead changes and the Saints pressing a 26^th point. Siena was able to get the game to 24-24 but they had back-to-back errors in the last moments, giving the Hawks a match sweep.
 
Game Two
 
In the afternoon the Hawks faced off with their toughest competition of the season against the Atlantic Coastal Conference's Boston College – who made the National Invitational Volleyball Championship in 2021. Even with a loss, there was a lot of promise for UMES shown against a Power 5 opponent.
 
The Eagles started the first set with four straight points before the Hawks could repel the attack only for it to fall short without momentum. Matias fought with five digs but the Eagle offense was too much as the Hawks fell 16-25.
 
There was nothing but resilience from the Hawks in the second set, grabbing an early lead but seeing the Eagles claw back to 20-20 after a UMES timeout. Working back and forth, a kill by Nkemjika Ikemefuna gave the Hawks the advantage at 27-26 and a series of Eagle errors gave the Hawks a win in the set.
 
Even with the spirit the Hawks showed in the second set, it just wasn't enough to overcome the attack Boston College had with its deep roster. In the third the Hawk's passing attack was working only the Eagles were able to respond to any quick run put together by Boston College. In the fourth it was much of the same, with the Hawks working from an early deficit only to see a tie within their grasps but unable to obtain it.
 
The Hawks leave New York with a 1-2 record but head home with optimism from the weekend, as they play in the Hytche for the Henson Hawk Invitational where they'll host former MEAC foe Hampton University and also rebuilding Manhattan College.
 
Follow the action on Twitter via @ESHawksVBall.