Game 1:
SUMMARY
The Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks powered past the Radford Highlanders, 3-0, at the ODU Volleyball Center through some consistently strong play late in each set.
THE SCORE
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks - 3
Radford Highlanders - 0
(25-23, 26-24, 27-25)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Anjola Omolewa set the tone early for the Hawks with a pair of early blocks. Although the Maroon and Grey only relinquished the lead once in the set, Radford kept the first frame close. The main theme for UMES in the opening set was scoring when out of system. Multiple Radford attacks were directed at setters, forcing the Hawks to play out of system. Despite that fact, UMES handled it well, producing quality sets from four different players outside of the two starting setters. The Hawks ultimately edged out the Highlanders, 25-23.
With UMES trailing 24-22 and Radford serving on the precipice of match point, Vanessa Faircloth called a timeout to help get the momentum back. The short break in the action worked to perfection as UMES closed out the match on a 4-0 run. With the match tied, 24-24, Junior Nkemjika Ikemefuna turned up the dial with a kill and a block consecutively to solidify a second set victory for the Hawks, 26-24.
The Maroon and Grey achieved a strong sense of balance to their offense in the third set. Aided by consistent serve receptions from Isil Yilmaz and Valeria Matias, numerous Hawks found success on their swings. Seven different hitters finished with at least one kill by the end of the third set. In addition, UMES once again finished strong in the third set, stifling a pair of Radford rallies to win the third set, 27-25, and clinch the victory.
THE NUMBERS
Junior Anjola Omolewa finished with a season-high five blocks, eclipsed double-digit kills for the second time this season with 10 kills, and recorded a season high .769 attack percentage with zero attack errors.
18 out of UMES' 25 first set points came on kills. 18 kills was the most that UMES generated in a single set throughout the Old Dominion Invitational.
The Hawks won each set by exactly two points, showcasing their ability to excel when their backs were against the wall.
Seven different players recorded an assist for the Hawks. Even when they were out of system, UMES still found ways to score.
Tola Maczka and Anisa Dorlouis got into a good rhythm as a setter tandem, combining for 29 total assists.
Ranyla Griggs finished with 12 kills. This was her third double-digit kill game in her last five matches.
GAME 2:
SUMMARY
The Old Dominion Monarchs bludgeoned the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks defense with powerful swings en route to a straight-set victory at the ODU Volleyball Center.
THE SCORE
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks - 0
Old Dominion Monarchs - 3
(22-25, 21-25, 16-25)
HOW IT HAPPENED
For the first time in this invitational, UMES experienced a true road game as Old Dominion packed in 400 fans to the intimate but loud ODU Volleyball Center. Old Dominion utilized the home court advantage to their favor, edging out UMES, 25-22, in the first frame. The poignant stat for the Hawks in the opening set was the service errors. The three errors on the service line from UMES proved costly in a set where the margins were very slim.
The Maroon and Grey went toe-to-toe with the Monarchs for a majority of the second set, forcing eight ties in the set. Although UMES prevented Old Dominion from building a lead through siding out 62% of the time, the Monarchs were comparatively better in this key area, siding out 72% of the frame. Overall, Old Dominion's mistake-free play at the service line and accurate swings helped the Monarch's separate for a second set win, 25-21.
In the final set, UMES fell victim to a combination of Old Dominion's attack and their own fatigue from having played a doubleheader. To begin the third set, the Hawks conceded a 6-0 run by the Monarchs. UMES was not able to recover from that deficit, losing the final frame, 25-16.
THE NUMBERS
Old Dominion sided out 70% of the time, preventing UMES from generating consistent scoring runs.
UMES finished the night with 40 combined kills compared to 43 from Old Dominion.
For the second time today, Anisa Dorlouis (23 assists) and Tola Maczka (11 assists) achieved double-digit assists.
After starting the season 2-3, UMES has alternated wins and losses since then.
Ranyla Griggs' 16 kills was her second highest mark for an individual game this season. Griggs' season-high remains her 20-kill performance against Hampton on Sept. 22.
ALL OLD DOMINION INVITATIONAL TEAM SELECTIONS
After a census from the Radford, Old Dominion, Rutgers, and UMES coaching staffs, a pair of Hawks were recognized as All-Invitational Selections at Old Dominion University.
Ranyla Griggs was selected for her excellent production throughout the entire tournament. The senior outside hitter totaled 37 kills on a .273 attack percentage, five blocks, two service aces, and eight digs. Griggs had multiple stints where she was unstoppable for opposing teams, amassing an average of over four kills per set.
Valeria Matias was also selected for her defensive prowess throughout the invitational. The junior libero was omnipresent on the floor, amassing 37 digs, 59 serve receptions to only two reception errors, 10 assists, and two service aces. Matias' passing ability was especially impressive against topspin serves, standing up strong to various topspin servers from Rutgers and Old Dominion.
UP NEXT
After splitting the doubleheader, UMES enters conference play with a 5-6 record. The Hawks kick off Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference action with a showdown against Morgan State in Baltimore on Friday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m.
FOLLOW ALONG
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