Maryland Eastern Shore defeated Delaware State 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-22) on Saturday in the semifinals of the 2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Volleyball Championship held at Holland Hall on the campus of Hampton University.

 

The Lady Hawks (25-8) overcame an early deficit to win the first game 25-21 before taking the second game by a comfortable margin. The third set featured 10 ties and four lead changes, but UMES held on for the 25-22 win to clinch a berth in Sunday’s final. The victory marked the second consecutive time that Maryland Eastern Shore has ousted Delaware State from the MEAC Volleyball Championship tournament.

 

“Taking the first set away from our opponents really helps us gain momentum. We feel very prepared for a match against Bethune-Cookman or Florida A&M but would look forward to playing Florida A&M since we lost to them in last year’s championship game,” said Lady Hawks Head Coach Don Metil. “We are excited; we didn’t want to go home early.”

 

Christine Edwards, the MEAC Rookie of the Year, led UMES with 15 kills, while Whitney Johnson had 10. MEAC Player of the Year Christina Estebane’ recorded 31 of UMES’ 33 assists. Leah Amundson recorded a team-high 15 digs on defense, while Edwards added 12 for a double-double and Caylin Woodward recorded 11.

 

 Edwards had 17.5 points in the victory.

 

“Yesterday losing a set to Norfolk State was an eye-opener. Today we came out 100% and just needed to play our game”, said Christina Estebane’.

 

Cassandra Joyner led Delaware State (16-11) with 11 kills, while Erica Tajchman added 10. Martina Ferrari led the Lady Hornets with 22 assists, and Joyner recorded a double-double by leading her team with 11 digs on defense.

 

“It was a tough match and not having Sarah [Wheatcroft] hurt us,” explained Head Coach Renee Arnold. “In addition to being a great setter she is a great blocker and with her out we had to make adjustments.”

 

“We started really well, with intensity, but we play off our emotions and when we were down it would have helped if the communication was there, explained Joyner.”

 

UMES, the MEAC northern division’s top seed, will face the winner of the Florida A&M/Bethune-Cookman semifinal on Sunday at noon in Holland Hall.

 

For more information on the 2008 MEAC Volleyball Championship or other MEAC sponsored events, log on to www.MEACSports.com.