SUMMARY
The Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks ended the Henson Hawk Invitational with a dramatic five-set win over Hampton University on Sunday evening.
Junior
Nkemjika Ikemefuna and senior
Ranyla Griggs led UMES, each recording double-digit kills—14 for Ikemefuna and 20 for Griggs.
THE SCORE
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks - 3
Hampton Pirates - 2
(26-24, 25-8, 25-14, 25-19, 15-8)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawks trailed in the first set until taking their first lead at 14-13 with a serving ace from sophomore
Anisa Dorlouis. Despite a late push by Ikemefuna, who had four kills in the set, the Pirates won 26-24.
In the second set, the Hawks struggled, scoring only eight points but maintained composure for the remaining frames. UMES rebounded in the third set, with Ikemefuna recording 10 kills and Dorlouis assisting on 20 kills.
Valeria Matias contributed defensively with 14 digs, and the Hawks achieved their second-highest hitting percentage of the night at .344.
The fourth set saw Ikemefuna cut the Pirates' lead to 9-13, and with key blocks by seniors
Lyric Snowden and
Anjola Omolewa and a significant kill from Griggs, UMES tied the set at 14-14. Griggs later helped the Hawks take a 20-16 lead, and freshman
Alivia Proctor added two service aces to force a fifth set.
In the decisive fifth set, the Hawks quickly surged to a 5-2 lead. Omolewa's service ace and Griggs' three consecutive kills secured the victory, 15-8 for the Hawks.
THE NUMBERS
- Coach Vanessa Faircloth is 8-1 in matches that have gone to five sets.
- Griggs achieved career highs in several categories, including 20 kills, two assists, and 21.5 points, leading the Hawks in kills tonight.
- Ikemefuna's 14 kills mark her third match with double-digit kills this season, bringing her total to 80.
- Dorlouis tied a season-high 31 assists, also contributing to tonight's win with 13 digs.
- Matias led the team with 16 digs, marking her fifth match this season with at least 15 digs.
- The Hawks out-killed the Pirates in every set except two and posted their highest hitting percentage of the night at .353 in the fifth set.
- Omolewa ended the night with eight kills and three service aces.
UP NEXT
The Hawks will compete in the Old Dominion Tournament in Norfolk, Virginia, on Friday, Sept. 20-21. They will face Rutgers at 3 p.m., Radford at 11 a.m., and ODU at 4 p.m.
FOLLOW ALONG
For updates on UMES volleyball, visit
UMESHawkSports.com and follow the team on Twitter (@UMESHawksVball) and Instagram (@umeshawksvball).