In 18 tries the Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) had beaten the UMBC Retrievers just twice in volleyball, the last time the Hawks won was 1986. Fast-forward 22 years and UMES wins again. They topped the host Retrievers in the UMBC Tournament 3-2 (25-22, 24-26, 25-20, 24-26, 15-11) behind the strong play of the 2007 MEAC Player of the Year, Whitney Johnson who pounded out 25 kills on 45 attacks with just five errors, an amazing percentage of .435.
"I thought Whitney Johnson played exceptionally well," said Head Coach Don Metil. "Having transferred from the University at Albany, an America East school, she had a lot to prove and I believe she did that."
UMES took a 3-0 lead in the first game following a Johnson kill. They would seize control early on before the Retrievers rattled off four straight points to tie the game at 10 all. However, the Lady Hawks would regain the lead on yet another perfect attack from Johnson. She finished with eight kills in game one. UMBC made things interesting as they closed the gap to 23-22 on the heels of a Bridget Scheetz kill, but it was not enough as a costly service error and kill by Christine Edwards gave the maroon and grey a 1-0 advantage.
The Lady Hawks seemed to be well on their way to another victory in the second stanza as they pulled ahead 5-0 on a service ace from Christina Estebane`. Yet, UMBC showed resilience by chipping away at the lead and eventually drawing even at nine apiece. The game was tied on eight occasions, but perhaps the most crucial coming after UMES had appeared to take control at 22-18 until the Retriever rattled off four straight points to even the score at 22. Both teams would exchange a couple of points before an attack error trailed by a Scheetz kill completed the UMBC comeback.
"That set could have been a pivotal turning point in the match for us, but our team responded and that was a huge step going forward," said Metil.
Indeed they did as set three was dominated by UMES. They got off to another hot start pulling ahead 8-3 and then later 17-12 before taking the game 25-20 on an Edwards smash.
Game four saw five lead changes and 14 ties, certainly keeping up the excitement of the match. The Lady Hawks seemed to carry over the momentum from the previous set climbing out to a 3-1 advantage. Nonetheless, UMBC would score three straight points to take the lead. UMES quickly put an end to the momentum by the opposition, responding with five consecutive points of their own to go ahead 8-4. The Retrievers did not go away though as they fought back to tie it at 11 on an Alyssa Lang kill. A seesaw game back and forth would ensue with neither team taking more than a one point lead until UMBC went up 22-20 following a block by Sarah Joy and Lang. The maroon and grey answered the challenge with a Chanita Wesley service ace, her third, to notch it at 24 apiece. It was not enough though as consecutive attack errors sent the match into a fifth and final deciding set.
Things appeared to turn the Retrievers' way as they went ahead 9-5 and seemed to be cruising to a come from behind victory. However, it was UMES' turn to mount a comeback of epic proportions. They scored five straight points that was capped off with a Johnson kill to take the lead at 10-9. After tying the game at 11, UMBC would not get any closer as Leah Amundson, who returned to the lineup after missing last week, served an ace for the set, match, and win. She added 11 digs in limited action.
"Amazing wasn't it," said Metil. "To comeback in the fifth set after going down early was a testament to the heart this team showed tonight. It was a big win for us and one I feel will help us get back on track."
The win improved UMES to .500 on the season at 2-2, while UMBC dropped to 4-2 overall.
Estebane`, the reigning MEAC Player of the Week, finished with 28 digs, a pair of aces, and 53 assists, while Edwards, the MEAC Rookie of the Week, was solid once again as she added 19 kills and dugout nine balls. Samantha Chukwura led the blocking effort with 2.5.
"I thought everyone played well and it was a total team effort," said Metil. "Now we just have to get ready for tomorrow because it won't get any easier."
UMES continues the tournament tomorrow with matches against Duquesne and Niagara, who lost to UMBC in the first match of the day 3-1, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.