ASHEVILLE, North Carolina – The University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball program is heading back to Maryland with a positive record after taking a hard-earned win and a loss to a second time opponent.
 
""It was a good weekend despite not coming away with the second win against Asheville," Faircloth said. "We have a huge benefit of these student-athletes being comfortable with each other and it showed."
 
Hawks Control Game Against Alabama A&M
 
The Hawks came out firing during the first set against Alabama A&M, running to a 12-5 lead before the Bulldogs were able to respond with a four-point run that brought them within three. From then on, UMES was able to double up any point grabbed by A&M to cruise to the first set win 25-17.
 
"We got into a grove in those first two sets," head coach Vanessa Faircloth said. "The passing was on point and that allowed our girls up front to really make a difference."
 
After a back and forth start in the second set, the Hawks were able to take control once again on runs of five and four to run out to an eight-point lead. A&M were able to bring the set within four on a solid five-point run, but the Hawks didn't falter, going on a five-point run of their own and eventually closing the set out by 11 points.
 
"You can tell they're a tight group with the communication court and how they were flowing," Faircloth said. "Romi with 26 assists in this match, that's going to set a mark going forward."
 
The third set looked to have the match in the books for the Hawks, opening with a five-point run and leading by as much as eight but the Bulldogs showed resilience late – nickel and diming UMES to tie it up late on a six-point run that would sink the Hawks by three.
 
There was no playing around in the fourth set for the Hawks, sprinting out to a 16-12 lead thanks to kills by Griggs and Ikemefuna, as well as a splendor of attack errors by the Bulldogs. Aided by a seven-point run with Dorlouis serving, the Hawks put the match into closing for the second win of the season.
 
"Kemi, Deri and Nyla showed why we can be a force in the MEAC today," Faircloth said. "I truly believe we have one of the most balanced offenses in the conference because of how versatile they are. Then of course you have Charli as the motor - we're going to be competitive."
 
Asheville Foils Perfect Weekend
 
While the Hawks had things rolling in the first and second games of their season, the third would turn out to be against UMES as UNC-Asheville was determined to split the difference after the Friday affair.
 
In the first and second sets the Hawks were unable to get the strikes in order, hovering around just above .100 in hit percentage while still playing positive defense to keep the match in hand.
 
"That gym was over 100 degrees and they kept pumping," Faircloth said. "That's all I can ask of them in this situation, but this is going to make them better in the long run. They don't turn to adversity, that isn't our philosophy."
 
In the third set the Hawks were able to find the offensive flow, but Asheville was able to take the rest and scouting report back to the office, helping the Bulldogs to a 25-19 victory to seal it out.
 
Looking Forward
 
The 2-1 weekend is great for the Hawks but their thirsty for more and are looking for a signature win, which could come as early as Wednesday with a trip to Villanova. The Wildcats currently sit at 2-0 before closing out the Western Michigan Tournament on Sunday (August 27).
 
Wednesday's game against the Wildcats will be streamed live on the FloSports Volleyball platform, and Live Stats will be provided by the home team. Commentary and updates will, as always, be provided on Twitter via @ESHawksVBall.