Hawks advance to MEAC semifinals with comeback win over Norfolk State


DOVER, Delaware - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks erased a 0-2 deficit to beat Norfolk State in five sets to win the opening round of the MEAC Tournament.


The Hawks (16-11) lost a back and forth opening set, 28-26. The Spartans put the Hawks' season on the edge of ending wit ha 25-22 win in the second set.


Down 2-0, UMES bounced back with its best play of the afternoon as the Hawks soared to an early 8-2 lead and went on to a 25-14 win.


Up 16-15 in the fourth, a service ace by Valeria Matias and kills by Nkemjika Ikemefuna and Derionah Abner gave the Hawks a five-point lead. UMES appeared in control with a 24-18 lead until the Spartans scored the next five points to pull within a point. Shanti Ramdeen put the set and the Spartan hopes to rest with a kill to send the match into a fifth and final frame.


In a back-and-forth fifth set, NSU held a 13-11 lead before an Abner kill sparked a jolt for the Hawks. The next three points of the match went to Hawks by way of blocks which included the match ending score by Abner.


A balance Hawk offense was led by Abner and Ikemefuna with each finished with 15 kills. Ranyla Griggs had 13 kills.


Defensively, Matias was impressive in the comeback with 21 digs while Anjola Omolewa led all players with four blocks.


NSU's efforts were highlighted by Gabrielle Gilbert's 21 kills.

The Hawks will face Coppin State in Saturday's MEAC Semifinals at 5:30 pm in Dover, Delaware.