WASHINGTON, DC – The University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball program was able to come away with a win to close out week two of the season at the American University tournament on Saturday, September 2. After allowing a comeback in the first set, the Hawks soared to three straight against Central Connecticut State University for a 3-1 victory.
 
"This was big for us coming off of three straight losses," head coach Vanessa Faircloth said. "We fell behind in that first set but the girls rallied and showed the heart that I know is in them."
 
CCSU jumped out to an early lead in the first set before the Hawks gained some control at 11-10 as the Blue Devils called a timeout to stop the bleeding. Both sides exchanged points following the tie until UMES looked to be cruising but the Blue Devils would proceed to grab the lead.
 
Charlize Williams tied the set up at 25-25, it wouldn't be enough through as CCSU grabbed the final two points of the set to take it.
 
The Hawks rebounded well in the second set, running out to a 9-4 lead before CCSU was able to gain some traction and come within three until UMES rattled off six straight points to stretch their lead. CCSU made things interesting with a four-point run late, only for Williams and Derionah Abner to come through with a block to end the set and even the match.
 
"Deri and Charlie's block to end the second was huge for us," Faircloth said. "It was a momentum builder."
 
Set three was another back-and-forth affair for the squads until the Hawks were aided by three straight Blue Devil attack errors that put UMES up by six. More attack errors plagued CCSU until set point and Anjola Omolewa put things away with a kill off an assist by Romina Vacca.
 
Once again in the fourth set, UMES and CCSU traded barbs until the Hawks sparked a four-point run with kills by Ranyla Griggs, Soleil Cotton and Ikemefuna – capped off by an ace from Omolewa – to take the lead.
 
CCSU struck back to take the lead but another solid series leading to five Hawk points would turn out to be the difference as the Blue Devils lost steam and eventually dropped the set 25-20 to UMES.
 
"The fourth set we had a few moments that were uneasy but I trust these girls, so we stuck with the game plan," Faircloth said.
 
Abner led the team with 14 kills, with Ikemefuna behind at 10 and Griggs at nine – the team hit a combined .310 which was a season high. Romina Vacca and Anisa Dorlouis split setting duties, finishing with 24 and 22 respectively. Valeria Matias led the team with 23 digs working in the libero role.
 
For Week Two, Abner led the way with 40 kills and Ikemefuna had 32 with Griggs adding 24 – Lyric Snowden played with off the bench by contributing 16 kills at a .324 hitting percentage. Vacca plated 72 and Dorlouis added another 45.
 
Omolewa quietly was a part of nine blocks over ten sets played, Williams had eight in twelve.
 
"Win column leaves me a little disappointed, although I'm happy what we accomplished on the court," Faircloth said. "This was a good week to get our rotations figured out so we can have a great tournament at the Hytche.
 
Next up for UMES is the Henson Hawk Invitational, starting off the 2023 University of Maryland Eastern Shore home season, with Gardner-Webb, Hampton and Quinnipiac visiting for six games at the Hytche. The Hawks first match will be the nightcap on Friday (September 8) against Gardner-Webb.
 
Follow the action on Twitter via @ESHawksVBall.