PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – With four tournaments out of the way for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball team, the Hawks (2-8, 0-0 MEAC) now have their eyes set on Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 23 against Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia.
Following a day off, the Hawks will host Howard University at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 25 in the Hytche Athletic Center.
Scouting the Spartans
Entering the weekend, the Spartans (0-10, 0-0 MEAC) have been struggling to gain traction on the court, winning just five sets in ten games but have seen Power-5 opponents Tennessee and Virginia Tech in September. The Hawks and Spartans have also shared two opponents in Hampton University and the University of New Hampshire, which were losses for the MEAC programs.
Offensively, the Spartans run through junior outside hitter Shonte Seale, who leads the team with 105 kills, good for an average of three a set and is just .02 per from being tops in the conference. Freshman Sydney McCree has been pivotal for the Spartans, racking up 239 of the teams 327 assists and is third in the conference per set – she was MEAC Rookie of the Week on September 12.
In the backcourt Nicole Rodriguez keeps the Spartans together defensively with 127 digs, while Adlene Jideofor is averaging .60 blocks per set up front. As a team Norfolk State sits at fifth in the conference with a .138 hitting percentage, 10.47 assists per set, 10.11 kills per set.
The Hawks have had the Spartans number over the past several years, currently sitting on a 15-game winning streak dating back to 2014.
Honing on Howard
A game still to be played against Delaware State to begin its MEAC season, Howard (6-6, 0-0 MEAC) has also seen some tough competition in Power-5 Washington State and Penn State during tournaments. The Bison took down common opponent George Mason 3-1 to start their season.
Howard has a well-rounded offense with three players in the top-10 of the conference in hitting percentage in Cimone Woodward, Rya McKinnon and Tamar Wells – as well as two in kills per set with Dami Awojobi (2.65 per) and Jennifer Bolden (2.54 per). Setter Kayla Diaz keeps things flowing by leading the conference in assists per set at 10.12 and is also averaging .42 aces per set.
McKinnon is a two-time MEAC Rookie of the Week.
Woodward is a well-rounded player by also leading the Bison with 32 blocks this season, while libero Essence Bell is doubled up on everyone else on the team with 164 digs.
Currently Howard holds a four-game winning streak over the Hawks, last meeting at the Hytche on October 21, 2011, where the Hawks forced a 30-32 fourth set.
Checking in on the Hawks
A strong weekend to begin MEAC play would make a statement against an improved Norfolk State and a battled tested Howard.
Derionah Abner has been solid all season for the Hawks, leading the team with 80 kills and is third with 14 kills showing an all-around player. Rookie
Nkemjika Ikemefuna has been phenomenal since arriving this summer, leading the team with 2.32 kills per set and is fourth with 13 blocks.
Sophia Chacon has been the main setter so far with 197 assists, followed by
Romina Vacca's 123 in her first year with the offense.
Defensively the Hawks are paced up front by
Charlize Williams' 29 blocks – averaging .91 per set, second in the conference. Third in the conference in digs per set, freshman
Valeria Matias leads the team with 133 and has a .957 reception percentage in 282 attempts.
How to Follow
Both games this weekend will be streamed live for those that are unable to make it to the respective games with links available via
www.easternshorehawks.com before gametime. Live Stats will also be provided.
You can also always follow the action on Twitter via @ESHawksVBall.
