HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Kentucky — Continuing a four match road trip in the state of Kentucky, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks were outdueled in a three set defeat at Northern Kentucky University.

The Score 

Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (7-3) - 0 

Northern Kentucky Norse (2-6) - 3 

(25-12, 25-22, 25-20)

How It Happened 

Thursday night was a slow start for the Hawks. Trailing 14-7 and sparking a timeout by head coach Anitra Brockman in the first set, UMES was unable to fully recover in the opening set. 10 UMES attacking errors compared to two NKU miscues proved to be too much to overcome for the Hawks, who surrendered the first set, 25-12.

A much improved UMES start to set two had the Hawks up 6-4 highlighted with a block by Chase Valentine, a kill by Andre Mills and an ace from Josh Howard. After an unsuccessful NKU challenge on an out-of-bounds call, the Norse battle back to tie the score up at 7 a piece. The teams continued to trade blows to a 12-12 tie. Back to back blocks by Marcellus Owens helped gained momentum for the Hawks and propelled them to a 17-13 advantage. After a timeout by NKU, the Norse notched the next three points to trigger a Hawk timeout. Two service errors by NKU aided in the Hawks reclaiming a two-point lead, 19-17. UMES was the first to twenty thanks to the soft touch of Tristan Rowley. A John Howard kill kept the Hawks ahead 21-20. The teams continued to battle to a 22-22 tie. Kills by NKU's Will McEveen and Juanmarco Diaz put the Norse up, 24-22. Griffin Wheatley delivered the final point in set two with an ace to ground the Hawks, 25-22.

Down by two sets, the Hawks stormed out to a 4-0 lead with Curtis Tom serving. Down 5-1, NKU responded with six on the next seven points to go up, 7-6. The Norse gradually built the lead up to four, 12-8 before a UMES timoout. The Hawks glided back into the game thanks to blocks by Jaxson Clark and Valentine. A kill by Clark brought the score to 15-15. NKU regained form and led 21-18 and remained in control to take the final set, 25-20.

The Numbers 

Tristan Rowley led the UMES offense with six kills.

The Hawks had a .043 hitting percentage compared to a .321 percentage by NKU.

Andre Mills recorded a team-high 12 assists while Andre Mills led the Hawks with five digs.

NKU had two players finish with 10 kills and another with nine in the victory.

Up Next 

The Hawks continue their Kentucky road trip on Friday with matches against Oakland City and Kentucky State in Frankfort, Kentucky. Kentucky State is serving as the host institution for Friday's tri-match.

Follow Along 

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