PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – September 27, 2026 – The University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball team battled North Carolina Central through five sets Sunday afternoon before falling 3-2 (15-25, 26-24, 22-25, 26-24, 12-15) inside the Hytche Center.
After NCCU took the opening set, the Hawks responded in a tightly contested second frame. UMES broke a 24-24 tie on a North Carolina Central service error before Jayda Hutchins delivered a service ace to close out the 26-24 set victory.
The Eagles regained the advantage with a 25-22 win in the third, but Eastern Shore answered again in the fourth. The Hawks produced their best offensive set of the afternoon, hitting .409 with 12 kills to force a decisive fifth set with another 26-24 victory.
NCCU ultimately secured the match with a 15-12 win in the fifth, dropping UMES to 2-11 overall and 1-1 in MEAC play.
Hutchins led the Hawks offensively with a match-high 18 kills while hitting .250 and adding seven digs. Karielys Melendez added 11 kills, three service aces and four digs, while Dynasty Andrews finished with five kills and five solo blocks.
Kate-Linh Eden directed the offense with 27 assists to go along with five digs and a service ace. Arianna Warner Torres led the defensive effort with 18 digs.
At the net, UMES finished with 10 total blocks, including seven solo blocks, while the Hawks recorded six service aces as a team.
Up Next
Maryland Eastern Shore continues MEAC play on the road Friday, October 2, when the Hawks travel to Norfolk, Virginia to face Norfolk State at 6 p.m.
The Hawks return home Sunday, October 4, to host Howard University at 1 p.m. inside the Hytche Center.
