HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - August 28, 2026 - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's volleyball team opened the 2026 season with a split Friday at the Alabama A&M Tournament, falling to host Alabama A&M before bouncing back with a sweep of Mississippi Valley State.
The Hawks (1-1) fell to Alabama A&M, 3-0 (15-25, 33-35, 20-25), before defeating Mississippi Valley State, 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-14), in the nightcap.
Maryland Eastern Shore 0, Alabama A&M 3
After dropping the opening set 25-15, the Hawks battled Alabama A&M through a marathon second frame featuring 15 ties and seven lead changes. UMES held late advantages at 28-27, 30-29 and 32-31 before the Bulldogs eventually escaped with a 35-33 win.
Alabama A&M completed the sweep with a 25-20 victory in the third.
Jayda Hutchins led the Hawks with nine kills on a .412 hitting percentage, 17 assists and six total blocks. Dynasty Andrews added seven kills while hitting .286 with five blocks, while Jaslyn Dawkins finished with seven kills.
Arianna Warner Torres led the defensive effort with 12 digs, followed by Karielys Melendez with nine.
Maryland Eastern Shore 3, Mississippi Valley State 0
UMES responded in dominant fashion against Mississippi Valley State, hitting .345 with 43 kills and 10 service aces in the three-set victory.
The Hawks used a 10-0 run in the opening set to pull away for a 25-13 win. Mississippi Valley State challenged UMES in the second, cutting the lead to 22-20 before the Hawks scored the final three points for a 25-20 victory.
Eastern Shore jumped ahead 11-4 in the third and never looked back, closing out the sweep 25-14.
Melendez led the offense with 13 kills on a .455 hitting percentage while adding seven digs and two aces. Rayah Howell recorded eight kills, while Hutchins finished with 23 assists, five aces, five digs and four kills.
Andrews added four kills without an attack error and a team-high five total blocks.
Up Next
Maryland Eastern Shore returns for Day Two of the Alabama A&M Tournament on Saturday, August 29, taking on Florida A&M at 12 p.m. in Huntsville, Alabama.
