SUMMARY

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeated The Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks, 3-0, at the ODU Volleyball Center behind a barrage of success at the service line.

THE SCORE

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks - 0

Rutgers Scarlet Knights - 3

(23-25, 18-25, 20-25 )

HOW IT HAPPENED

The opening set was evenly matched as the Hawks and Scarlet Knights were tied 12 separate times throughout the frame. The Maroon and Grey attack was well distributed, featuring contributions from six different UMES hitters. Nkemjika Ikemefuna began the match with a trio of kills in the first set. In addition, Anisa Dorlouis and Rayah Howell each produced a pair of kills on their own. After trailing 12-9, the Hawks sprung a 5-0 run to take the lead, 14-12, forcing a timeout from Rutgers. Unfortunately for the Maroon and Grey, Rutgers outscored UMES 13-9 in the latter half of the frame through generating six service aces. This factor enabled the Knights to cement their opening set victory, 25-23. 

Compared to the first set, Rutgers controlled the second frame much more handily, never relinquishing the lead to UMES in the set. The theme of multiple UMES hitters getting opportunities to shine continued for the Hawks as six players tallied three or more kills by the end of the second set. Despite some success on offense for UMES, Rutgers' ability to sideout over 70% of the frame and be consistently on target with their attacks helped them to cruise to a 2-0 lead in the match, winning the second set, 25-18.

In the final set, UMES posted their best offensive output of the match. The Hawks formed a strong setter tandem of Dorlouis and Tola Maczka who put together 11 combined assists in the set. Additionally, Ranyla Griggs caught fire in the third frame with five kills, leading UMES to 12 total kills in the set. In a set with five lead changes and nine ties, Rutgers still found a way to separate from UMES through their consistency with their serves and serve receptions. The Knights ultimately pulled away from the Hawks, winning the third set, 25-20, and clinching their first victory of the Old Dominion Invitational.

THE NUMBERS

Junior Valeria Matias eclipsed 700 career digs for her career in the first set of the match against Rutgers. Matias finished with 9 digs on the afternoon.

Freshman Rayah Howell tallied a career-high for kills with eight on the day.

Rutgers dominated at the service line, generating 13 aces compared to just four from UMES. 

Senior Shanti Ramdeen made her first appearance of the season, registering three digs in the back row.

UP NEXT

With this loss, the Hawks fall to a 4-5 record on the season. They will aim to finish the Old Dominion Invitational strong in their doubleheader matches against Radford at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Old Dominion at 4 p.m. The match against Old Dominion will stream on ESPN+. 

FOLLOW ALONG

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