PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – The Hytche Athletic Center welcomed the University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball team back home on Friday (September 2) as the Hawks hosted former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Hampton University for the home opener. The visiting Pirates jumped out to a two-set lead before the Hawks fought back to win the third set only to see a lead slip in the fourth to fall 1-3.
The first set was close on the court with the teams swapping points throughout much of the affair but Hampton was able to use two key three-point runs to make the difference in its 25-20 win. While the Hawks had the game in their grasps, Hampton was too efficient on the attack, hitting .441 to the Hawks .256 and were aided by two aces.
Hampton was unrelenting in the second set thanks to stout defense that stifled the Hawk attack, taking a 10-point win while out digging Maryland Eastern Shore by seven.
Valeria Matias and
Sophia Chacon grabbed five and four digs, respectively, but six Pirates turned in at least two themselves to outpace the Hawks.
It was a resilient third for the Hawks, taking a 25-18 win in a set that saw six ties and three lead changes until a six-point run sealed it. Once again, Matias and Chacon were central, with both big runs by the Hawks fueled by their serving.
Ranyla Griggs had her best set of the evening, getting four of her eight points in the third.
While the Hawks looked to be gaining momentum with their win in the third, Hampton jumped out the early lead until the Hawks were able to tie it up at 12 for a brief moment only to see the Pirates take the set 25-20. Even with
Derionah Abner trying to fuel the Hawks with five kills and
Romina Vacca serving up five assists, for every point the Hawks grabbed late, Hampton was able to respond with two of their own.
Abner and freshman
Nkemjika Ikemefuna led the way with ten kills a piece, with Griggs and
Charlize Williams right behind with eight each. Chacon kept the offense flowing with 19 assists and Vacca had 15 in her first match at the Hytche. Defensively, Matias led both teams with 18 digs, Chacon had 10 and while the Hawks had no solo blocks, Williams assisted on four.
The Hawks are back in action on Saturday (September 3) at 3 p.m. against Manhattan College, game one of the Henson Hawk Invitational is at 10 a.m. between the Pirates and Jaspers.
Follow the action on Twitter via @ESHawksVBall.
