SUMMARY

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (9-10 (4-4 MEAC)) bludgeoned the Morgan State Bears (5-16 (1-6)), 3-2, utilizing an elite all-around effort from the entire squad.

THE SCORE

Morgan State Bears - 2

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks - 3

(25-21, 22-25, 24-26, 25-16, 15-10)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Hawks traded points throughout the first set, tying seven times, but overwhelmed the visiting Bears to take a 25-21 win. UMES also remained efficient with its offensive efforts, maintaining a .323 hitting percentage compared to the Bears' .132.

Through the opening set, Anjola Omolewa led with five kills, while Ranyla Griggs contributed three kills to help the Hawks secure the opening frame victory. Freshman Lilliana Montes made a significant impact with her defensive efforts, pressuring the attacking Bears and blocking two attacks in the first set. 

The Maroon and Grey continued to press in the second set. However, the Blue and Orange won the second frame, 22-25. While each team ran nearly even in attack attempts, Morgan State flipped the script in efficiency with a .321 hitting percentage to the Hawks' .172.

In the third frame, the Bears took the set, 26-24. This was the most competitive set of the evening as there were a game-high 12 ties and nine lead changes. Despite the Hawks putting up a game-high 17 kills in set three, Morgan State, who generated four service aces in the third frame, was just able to edge out UMES.

The Hawks usurped momentum in the fourth frame, only trailing twice for the remainder of the match. Griggs put together her most efficient frame, totaling four kills on five attempts.

Similarly to the last time the Bears and Hawks faced each other, UMES defeated Morgan State 15-10 in the fifth set. UMES started the final frame on an 8-1 run. As a result, despite a small comeback effort from the Blue and Orange, the Hawks never trailed in the final set en route to their fourth conference victory of the season.

THE NUMBERS

• The Hawks are now 11-2 in five-set matches in the Vanessa Faircloth era.

• UMES' 62 kills tied a one-game season high mark. The Hawks also eclipsed 62 kills in their first matchup against Morgan State on Sept. 27.

• Rayah Howell achieved a career-high 10 kills. This is her first double-digit kill match of her young career.

• Anjola Omolewa registered a career-high 18 kills, surpassing her previous mark of 11. Omolewa also added four digs and three blocks.

• Ranyla Griggs finished with 12 kills. Griggs has finished with double-digit kills in nine of her last 9 matches.

• Anisa Dorlouis generated 37 assists, finishing just four short of her career-high. Dorlouis also excelled defensively, registering 18 digs.

• Shanti Ramdeen made her first start at Libero, finishing with seven digs and three service aces.

• Tola Maczka formed a solid setter tandem with Dorlouis, amassing 13 assists and a season-high 2 service aces.

• UMES finished with a sideout percentage of 50% or above in all five sets.

UP NEXT

Next up, the Hawks head across the bridge to Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 27, to face Coppin State on its home court. The game will stream live on ESPN+ at 1 p.m. and will have a radio stream available on Baltimore Positive WNST Radio.

FOLLOW ALONG

Keep up with the latest from UMES volleyball on UMESHawkSports.com and by following along on Twitter (@UMESHawkVball) and Instagram (@umeshawksvball).