Box Score Hawks drop four-setter to Norfolk State


PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball team suffered its first loss on its home floor in a four-set defeat to Norfolk State on Friday.


The loss drops UMES to 8-7 overall and 1-2 in the MEAC. NSU improved to 4-6 on the season and 3-0 in conference play.


The Hawks opened the match with a dominant 25-16 first set win. Set two went in the opposite direction as NSU won 25-16. Down 21-13 in the fourth set, UMES battled back to within four points before NSU's Gabrielle Gilbert slammed down the kill to give the Spartans a 2-1 edge. After falling behind 20-16 in the fourth, the Hawks scored the next six points and appeared poised to force a deciding set. Unfortunately for UMES, Gilbert rose to the occasion to lift the Spartans as she recorded three kills down the stretch including a fortunate bounce of her head that landed on the Hawks side of the floor. The Spartans went on to claim the fourth set, 25-23, and the 3-1 victory.


NSU hitters combined for 53 kills and 18 errors on 130 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .269. UMES totalled 46 combined kills and 22 errors on 121 attacks (.198). 


Gilbert led all players with 18 kills. Shonte Seale also contributed for the Spartans with 14 kills. Sydney McCree distributed 34 assists for NSU. Ranyla Griggs had 14 kills to pace the UMES attack while Derionah Abner finished with 10 kills. Romina Vacca recorded 31 assists while Valeria Matias finished with a match-high 18 digs.


The Hawks continue conference play on the road on Sunday at Howard.