SUMMARY

Although the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks controlled multiple stretches of the match, the Howard Bison defeated the Hawks, 3-1, in the MEAC Tournament Semfinal. 

THE SCORE

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks - 1

Howard Bison - 3

(22-25, 18-25, 25-18, 25-18)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Yesterday, the Hawks raved about how much energy played a factor in getting the upperhand against the Spartans. Similar to yesterday, UMES set an early tone from the very first point. On Howard's first attack of the match, Anjola Omolewa skied in the air to block a swing from the pin, giving the Maroon and Grey an immediate advantage. The Hawks generated some solid plays, including an impressive out of system sequence where Lyric Snowden produced a good set off of her platform that Gabrielle McCoy finished with a good swing. The opening set was neck-and-neck the entire way, coming down to the final three points with the score tied at 22. Unfortunately for the Hawks, a close call on an Anisa Dorlouis setter dump attempt went Howard's way which led to the Bison usurping momentum and taking the final three points to win the opening set.

UMES struggled in the second set. The Bison began on a 9-2 run, forcing an early timeout from the Hawks. In their prior game, fast starts were huge for the Hawks in their win over Norfolk State in the MEAC Tournament quarterfinal round. Unfortunately for the Maroon and Grey, Howard was the team that started fast in the first and second sets. UMES tried to getsome momentum in the middle of the set thanks to aces by Ranyla Griggs and Shanti Ramdeen and a kill by Lilliana Montes. However, it was ultimately not enough as the Bison went up two sets to nothing.

Out of the end of second set break, the Hawks went back to the formula of starting a set fast, beginning on a 7-2 run forcing a timeout from the Bison. Despite the attempt to cool down the Hawks, UMES did not waver in the third set. For the second consecutive day, Lyric Snowden took over the third set, recording a trio of kills with authority early in the set. With a renewed vigor, the Maroon and grey were one of the first MEAC teams to force Howard off of their game for an extended time. UMES extended their lead out of the timeout 15-5, forcing another timeout from the Bison. Even though Howard staged a small comeback at the end of the set, Anisa Dorlouis closed the set with a brilliantly timed swing. When the set was all said and done, UMES hit well above a .200 attack percentage in the third frame while limiting Howard to a negative attack percentage. The Hawks became just the second team in the entire MEAC to take a set from Howard, and they did so decisively. 

Through the first ten points of the fourth set, it appeared the Maroon and Grey were going to force the match into a fifth and final set. UMES rattled off another strong start, taking seven out of the frst 10 points. Unfortunately for the Hawks, Howard gathered themselves after falling behind. With their season on the line, the top-seeded Bison battled back to not only tie the match, 11-11, but also outscore UMES 14-7 down the stretch to punch their ticket to the MEAC Championship game. Despite a valiant effort from the Hawks, their season came to an end just two wins shy of their goal. 

THE NUMBERS

• UMES outscored their two opponents 50-26 in set threes in the tournament.

• Isil Yilmaz finished with her best two game stretch of the season, amassing 35 digs in a pair of MEAC Tournament games.

• Anjola Omolewa finished with six blocks. The junior middle blocker generated a lot of momentum swings for the Hawks against the Bison.

• Anisa Dorlouis tabbed a trio of aces, leading the Hawks in service aces.

• Ranyla Griggs closed out her sensational UMES volleyball career with a team-high 12-kill performance.

UP NEXT

The Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks finish the 2024 campaign 12-15 (6-8) with a semifinal berth in the MEAC Tournament. As the Hawks set their sights on the next season, UMES will take the time to celebrate the achievements of 2024 and celebrate the five seniors for all that they have given to the program. 

FOLLOW ALONG

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