Spartans Run Win Streak to 4 With 3-0 Win Over B-CU

NORFOLK, Va. - Following some early to mid-season road struggles, the Norfolk State volleyball team continued its torrid play with its fourth win in a row, a 3-0 victory over Bethune-Cookman Sunday afternoon at Joseph Echols Hall.

For the second match in a row, the Spartans defeated a team that finished ahead of them in the MEAC South Division following a 3-0 victory against South Carolina Wednesday. The win improved NSU's mark to 9-14 overall and 3-1 in the MEAC in the third of six straight matches at home.

The win marked just the second time in the last 10 years NSU won four matches in a row after accomplishing the feat in 2008. It also put NSU to within two wins of tying the program's all-time Division I record of 11 wins in a season set in 1999.

Redshirt sophomore Paige Gary-Canty led the way with 10 kills on a .381 attack percentage with six digs, while freshman Arielle Knafel and sophomore Ellica Morris totaled seven kills each. Knafel also had nine digs, as did junior Nicole Kessner, who handed out 28 assists. Freshman Noelle Eagles posted 19 digs to again pace the way.

The Wildcats were led by Kaiyana Johnson with six kills, while Jacqueline Woodyear had 15 digs and Alexis Bliese totaled 20 assists.

For the complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com  or www.bcuathletics.com

UMES Extends Winning Streak To Nine With Sweep Of Coppin State

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. -  Freshman Maline Vaitai  led all players with 15 kills and junior Zoe Bowens served a career-high seven aces as Maryland Eastern Shore swept Coppin State, 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-20), at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center Sunday.

Vaitai's match-high kills total marked the eighth time in the season she finished in double digits while redshirt senior Samantha Chukwura also had 10 kills for the Hawks (15-9, 4-0 MEAC), who won their ninth consecutive match and 13th straight at home.

Bowens' effort bolstered the UMES service game that produced 12 aces against Coppin State (3-17, 4-0).

UMES held its fifth opponent in the last seven matches under a .200 hitting percentage as the Eagles hit just .038 (19-16-78) from the floor. The Hawks countered by hitting .250 on 38 kills and 16 errors in 88 attacks.

Junior Rebecca Prado tallied a match-best 13 digs and sophomore Stephanie Sierra registered 30 of the team's 35 assists.

Ashley Saunders led the Eagles with five kills while Haley Beechler added team highs of 12 assists and seven digs.

For the complete story, www.umeshawks.com or www.coppinstatesports.com

Howard Falls Short Against Hampton, 3-2

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Howard battled back from two sets behind to force a fifth game, but fell short against the Lady Pirates of Hampton on Sunday afternoon at Burr Gymnasium in its annual Dig Pink match. With the loss, Howard drops to 4-16 overall and 1-2 in the MEAC.

The Lady Bison had an impressive night on offense with Tosin Elebute leading all scorers with a game-best 13 kills and 14 digs for a double-double. Keri Partridge, Taylor Johnson, and Gazelle d'Artois all had nine digs on the afternoon. Jasmine King assisted on 35-of-47 total Howard kills.

As a team, the Lady Bisons had 16 blocks. Johnson had five solo blocks and three assisted, while Partridge chipped in with four solo and four assisted. "We were unbelievable with our blocking today," said head coach Dawn Barnes. "It was the best we've ever done at blocking."

The defensive effort was spread as three players finished with double-digit digs. Jiya Brown led the defense with 17 digs and d'Artois recorded 10.

Hampton improves to 6-18 on the season and 2-2 in the MEAC.

For the complete story, visit www.howard-bison.com or www.hamptonpirates.com

Delaware State Stings Lady Bears in Five-Set Thriller

BALTIMORE, Md. (Oct. 17, 2010)- Morgan State hosted Delaware State for its second annual "Dig Pink" match on Sunday evening at Hill Field House. For the 70 fans in attendance, they were in for a treat with an entertaining match, but in the end it was the visiting Hornets who claimed a hard fought 3-2 (23-25, 26-24, 25-18, 29-31, 15-13) victory over Morgan State in a MEAC Northern Division contest.

The Hornets' (9-10, 2-1 MEAC) victory was their sixth straight over Morgan State, which fell to 4-15, 2-2 MEAC and has now dropped all four of their home matches this season. Erica Tajchman tallied a match-high 23 kills, while Sarah Wheatcroft and Elisa Hermann added 18 and 15 kills, respectively, to lead Delaware State. Martina Ferrari recorded a match-high 60 assists and Sonja Banicevic finished with a match-high 29 digs.

The loss overshadowed several record setting performances by the Lady Bears. Ngebui (Natalie) Chafeh paced Morgan State with a career-high 16 kills, while Erin Cox collected her fifth double-double of the season with 13 kills and 17 digs and tied a career-high with four blocks. Dominique Bozier notched a career-high nine blocks and added 12 digs, while Rhyan Shy earned her first double-double of the season with 11 kills and 10 digs. Jourdan Lemons set a career high with 47 assists, breaking her previous high of 43 which she set two days earlier at Coppin State. Lemons would also add five kills, seven digs and two blocks.

There were 15 lead changes and a total of 31 ties in the match, including a high of 16 ties in Set 4. Delaware State finished the match recording 64 kills out of 175 attempts for a hitting percentage of .217, while the Lady Bears had 59 kills out of 173 attempts for a hitting percentage of .139. Morgan State tallied 70 digs to 66 by Delaware State and also held a 10.0-5.0 blocking advantage over the Hornets.

For the complete story visit www.morganstatebears.com or www.dsuhornets.com