Summary
In the Hawks' return to the Hytche Athletic Center, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore earned a contested 3-2 win against the LIU Sharks to improve to 3-4 in NEC play.
The Score
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (13-9, 3-4 NEC) - 3
LIU Sharks (11-12, 3-4 NEC ) - 2
(25-21, 25-21, 22-25, 20-25, 15-11)
How It Happened
Each side set an early tone for a contentious match of trading points as a block from Tristan Rowley and Chase Valentine was immediately matched by LIU. That was the course of action for most of the first set as the widest margin of lead on either side was just two points as UMES took a 7-5 lead on another block from Andre Mills and Marcellus Owens until the Hawks began to take the momentum, kick started by a Rowley kill to take a 11-9 lead. UMES went on a 5-2 run from there to give the Hawks the edge through the remainder of the opening set. The Hawks closed the opening frame on a 5-2 run to cap a 25-21 opening set win.
The Sharks drew first blood in the second set, but the Hawks responded with three straight points. Though LIU drew even three times through the set, UMES never relinquished its lead as a 4-0 run to end set two was capped by a service ace from Valentine to earn a 25-21 win. The Hawks earned 14 kills to the Sharks' nine in the set.
Long Island turned the tide in the third frame, erasing a five-run deficit en route to a 25-22 victory. The Sharks then carried their momentum into the fourth set, amassing a 16-6 run in the middle of frame to pull ahead and force a fifth set.
In the fifth frame, the Hawks regrouped, never trailing in the final set. Kills from Rowley, Valentine, Joshua Hightower, Nikilis Blumenstock and Jaxon Clark helped the Hawks build an 8-4 lead. Although LIU followed up by scoring three straight points, the Maroon and Grey outpaced the Sharks down the stretch, icing the game by scoring seven of the final eleven points. One final kill from Hightower clinched both a 15-11 win in set five and the third conference victory of the season for UMES.
The Numbers
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Rowley recorded a team-high 17 kills. He also added four digs, a service ace, and two total blocks.
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Hightower (14), Valentine (13), and Mills (11) also recorded double-digit kills. Mills also recorded a double-double, adding 11 digs defensively.
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Jarrett Key paced the Hawks with 12 digs.
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Kenyon Haynes registered a team-high 47 assists. Curtis Tom also added 15 assists.
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Hawks are 8-0 at home this season.
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UMES is 2-0 in five-set games this year.
Up Next
The Hawks complete their two-game series against LIU at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, at Hytche Arena. The game will be streamed on DSN+, and live stats will be available on UMESHawkSports.com
Follow Along
Keep up with the latest from UMES men's volleyball on UMESHawkSports.com and by following along on X (@UMESHawksMVB) and Instagram (@umeshawksmvb).
