SUMMARY

The Delaware State Hornets (14-13 (10-4)) defeated the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (11-14 (6-8)) in straight sets, answering every single scoring run by the Hawks. 

THE SCORE

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks - 0

Delaware State Hornets - 3

(18-25, 21-25, 16-25)

HOW IT HAPPENED

On Delaware State's Senior Night, the Hawks set an early tone in the opening frame with a powerful block by Lilliana Montes and Rayah Howell. UMES carried that momentum to an advantage, 7-5, to begin the game. Delaware State answered with a 10-3 run, building a cushion between the Hornets and the Hawks. UMES found their groove again in the middle of the set, generating a 3-0 run to bring the matchup within a single point and forcing Delaware State to use a timeout to stifle the surge. The Red and Columbia Blue answered out of the timeout to take a commanding lead, 24-15. The Hawks rallied to tack on three more before ultimately dropping the opening set, 18-25.

The Hawks came out strong out of the end of set one break, scoring nine out of the first 12 points. The Hawks used a wide variety of rotations, including utilizing Rayah Howell in the back row defensively, Soleil Cotton as an opposite hitter, Jocelyn Torres as the primary setter, and Jaelyn Stewart as a defensive specialist. The 9-3 run was highlighted by a thirty-second rally, ending in a Ranyla Griggs kill. Although UMES had the momentum early, Delaware State stormed back to take a 21-17 lead late in the second frame. However, the Hawks found a spark through some elite play at the net. Anjola Omolewa and Cotton each had excellent solo blocks en route to a 4-0 run to tie up the match at 21 a piece. After a timeout from the Hornets staff, Delaware State would score the final four points to clinch the second set, 25-21.

Even though Ranyla Griggs got the offense moving for the Hawks early in set three with a pair of kills, Delaware State doubled up UMES through the first 15 points, racing out to a comfortable lead, 10-5. Delaware State cruised the rest of the way, clinching their 10th conference win of the season.

THE NUMBERS

The Hawks had seven players register two or more kills. No Hawk players finished with over five kills.

The Maroon and Grey recorded a .090 attack percentage compared to Delaware State's .214.

UMES excelled at the net, recording seven blocks to Delaware State's four.

Despite the loss, the Hawks have still won 31 of the last 40 against Delaware State.

UP NEXT

With this loss, the Hawks end the regular season with an 11-14 (6-8 MEAC) record, finishing fifth place in the MEAC. UMES now turns their sights to the MEAC Volleyball Tournament, in which the fifth-seeded Hawks will take on the fourth-seeded Norfolk State Spartans on Nov. 22 at 2:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall in Dover. The last time that UMES took on Norfolk State in the MEAC Tournament was in 2023 when the Hawks stormed back from a two set deficit to win a five-set thriller. UMES' first round matchup will stream on ESPN+.

FOLLOW ALONG

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