SUMMARY

The Hawks utilized a well-rounded effort from the veterans and newcomers to defeat Mercyhurst, 3-0, earning the two-game series sweep.

THE SCORE

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks - 3

Mercyhurst Lakers - 0

(25-22, 25-19, 25-23)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Compared to game one of the series, UMES got off to a much better start. The Hawks played with a high energy level out of the gate, igniting the offense to attack at a .259 clip in the first set. Soleil Cotton set the tone with five kills in the opening frame, keeping the Mercyhurst defense off balance through strong swings and well placed tips from her middle blocker position. To complete the 25-22 victory, Nkemjika Ikemefuna tooled the block from the pin.

UMES rolled in the second frame. Anisa Dorlouis and Jocelyn Torres grew more comfortable as a setter tandem, each eclipsing eight assists by the end of the second set. Dorlouis even showcased her versatility as a player beyond just her setting ability, skying in the air to shut down a Mercyhurst swing. The Hawks never trailed in their wire-to-wire set two win, 25-19.

In set three, whenever the Hawks were on the back foot, Nkemjika Ikemefuna made key blocks and excellent swings to usurp the momentum right back. In addition, Valeria Matias refused to let the ball hit the floor throughout the set, tallying multi-dig rallies. Going into this season, head coach Vanessa Faircloth raved about the depth that she added both on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal. UMES complemented the performance of their veterans with the execution from the young talent to ice the game with a 25-23 third set victory. Gabrielle McCoy contributed two kills and Lilliana Montes made a game-winning block, earning UMES a straight set victory.

THE NUMBERS

After dropping the first two sets of the match yesterday, the Hawks have now won six consecutive sets.

The Hawks limited the Lakers ability to go on scoring runs as UMES sided out at over a 50% rate in each of the three sets (52%, 63% and 58%, respectively). 

The Maroon and Grey separated themselves from the Lakers through their play at the net. Maryland Eastern Shore not only outhit Mercyhurst in kills 32-23 but also out-blocked their opponents 8-1.

With a combined 27 assists from Dorlouis and Torres, seven different UMES hitters generated two or more kills. The two setters excelled at distributing their sets, assisting each of their offensive playmakers effectively and equitably.

Defensively, Valeria Matias continued to showcase why she is in the libero jersey every game for the Hawks, compiling her second consecutive 19-dig match.

Three freshmen made their collegiate volleyball debut: Gabrielle McCoy, Alivia Proctor, and Lilliana Montes. In addition, freshman Rayah Howell made her first career start, picking up four kills.

UP NEXT

With this win, the Hawks start the season 2-0 for the second consecutive season. UMES will head back to Princess Anne to rest for a few days before traveling down south on Tuesday to take on Mercer, Georgia Southern, and Clemson. The UMES Hawks will be back in action on Wednesday, Sept. 4 in Macon, Georgia against Mercer. The game will stream live on ESPN+ at 4:00 p.m.

FOLLOW ALONG

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