FAIRFAX, Virginia – After a long game the night prior for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball program, it was a long afternoon for the Hawks against George Mason University and the University of New Hampshire at the George Mason Invitational in Fairfax, Virginia on Saturday, September 17.
 
Playing the host Patriots (3-7, 0-0 A10), the Hawks fell 1-3 (14-25, 25-19, 17-25, 17-25) and less than an hour later began their game against the Wildcats (9-5, 0-0 CAA), which they were swept 0-3 (11-25, 20-25, 21-25).
 
Game One
 
The first set with George Mason saw an early trading of points before things quickly got out of hand for the Hawks after being tied up at 6-6. With a strong defense, the Patriots kept the Hawks offense at bay, hitting -.042 in the set with just seven kills to eight errors.
 
Following the rough start to the match, the Hawks came out on fire in the second set when Alexis Lee came in and assisted on a block with Charlize Williams to make it 3-2, a lead that they wouldn't give up. Lee and Derionah Abner each had three kills in the set, but the difference was six combined aces – including three from Nkemjika Ikemefuna.
 
Like the first set, the third set was defined by an early run by George Mason and the Hawks needing to play with aggression from behind. A Hawk timeout during a Patriot four-point run helped right the ship and the Hawks got as close as 16-14 but were only able to get two more points by the time George Mason had 25.
 
Much of the same happened in what would be the fourth and final set of the match when the Hawks saw George Mason go on an 8-1 run to force extra pressure early on. At 20-11 in favor of Mason the Hawks were able to get the game to 20-15 only to see things once again slip away with just two more points.
 
Abner led the Hawks with nine kills in the match with Ikemefuna, Lee and Williams each grabbing five of their own. Sophia Chacon led the team with 14 assists, Romina Vacca had 11 assists alongside three aces.
 
Game Two
 
With less than an hour to rest and recuperate, the Hawks returned to the court against a rested New Hampshire squad. Nine competitive sets in under 24-hours showed amongst the squad, finishing with a season low 31 combined kills at a .069 attack rate with simple reception errors that hurt solid second and third sets.
 
The first set started with the Maryland Eastern Shore and the University of New Hampshire going blow-for-blow the first eight points until suddenly the Wildcats rattled off runs off eight and seven-points to ground the Hawks.
 
Not letting the first set bother them, the Hawks turned it around in the second, getting the Wildcats to within a point at 20-19 in favor of New Hampshire. Ikemefuna had a solid set with six kills and Vacca had six assists and defensively the Hawks out dug the Wildcats 18-10. Coming up just short, the Hawks allowed a five-point run to the Wildcats which diminished their chances.
 
Keeping the same pace, the Hawks were able to turn in another battle with the Wildcats in the third set, aided by an early 6-3 lead. At 15-15 the Hawks were still in the set only for the fatigued to set in and slowly see the Wildcats double up on their kills until the end of the match.
 
Ikemefuna's eight kills led the Hawks and Ranyla Griggs added seven, Vacca had 10 assists and Chacon nine, with Matias getting 11 digs.
 
The Hawks are back in action on Friday, September 23 as they head to Norfolk State University to begin Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.
 
Follow the action on Twitter via @ESHawksVBall.