KINGSTON, R.I. - Freshman Maline Vaitai recorded a match-high 18 kills to pace three players in double digits but the Maryland Eastern Shore fell to Rhode Island, 3-2 (20-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-18, 10-15), in the Art Carmichael URI Volleyball Invitational at Keaney Gym Thursday.

Junior Zoe Bowens chipped in with 16 kills and redshirt senior Samantha Chukwura had 10 with a .422 hitting percentage in the Hawks' (1-7) fourth consecutive defeat. The loss is also UMES' fourth of the season in five-set matches.

The Hawks had five errors and seven kills in 17 total attacks in the deciding fifth game for a .118 hitting percentage but managed to outhit the Rams (4-3) .226-.222 for the night.

Rhode Island held an 8-7 advantage in the fifth at the changeover on a Bowens error and only tallied three more points the rest of the way (a Chukwura kills and two URI errors).

Sophomore Stephanie Sierra registered the team's second double-double of the season with match highs of 38 assists and 15 digs while junior Rebecca Prado and Bowens each had three of the Hawks' eight service aces. Prado also had 14 digs, her best total since transferring to UMES prior to last season.

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