UMES Snaps Four-Match Skid With 3-2 Win Over Marist
KINGSTON, R.I. - Maryland Eastern Shore came back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Marist 3-2 in the Art Carmichael URI Volleyball Invitational at Rhode Island's Keaney Gym Friday.
UMES (2-7), which snapped a four-match losing streak, improved to 1-4 in five-setters this season. With the loss, Marist fell to 5-5 on the year.
Three UMES players had double-figure kills on the day. Freshman Maline Vaitai led the way with 15 while junior Zoe Bowens and freshman Kaveingna Lea'Aetoa tallied 12 and 10, respectively.
Marist outhit UMES for the match, .290-.288, despite just 16 Hawks' errors.
Rebecca Prado (Annandale, N.J.) had a match-high 12 digs and Stephanie Sierra totaled a match-best 35 assists. Vaitai also had four of the team's 10 service aces.
Marist's Grace Hill led all players with 18 kills in the loss.
For the complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com
Spartans Fall to USC-Upstate, 3-0
CONWAY, S.C. - In the opening match of the Coastal Carolina Invitational, USC Upstate came away with a 3-0 win over the Norfolk State volleyball team Friday afternoon at Kimbel Arena.
USC Upstate improved to 3-4 on the year after defeating NSU, 25-21, 25-19, 25-23. The loss, the team's fourth in a row, dropped the Spartans to 3-6 on the year.
NSU was led by freshman Arielle Knafel, who posted 10 kills, four digs and three blocks, and redshirt sophomore Paige Gary-Canty, who totaled eight kills and five digs. Freshman Noelle Eagles had a team-high nine digs, while sophomore Kristen Burt added 26 assists.
The Spartans of USC Upstate were led by Katie Downey, who posted 11 kills, and Mindy Quimby, who added eight digs. Emily Sanders had 33 assists to lead the Spartan attack.
For the complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com
Nationally Ranked Minnesota Overpowers NCCU In 3-0 Sweep
DURHAM, N.C. - The 12th-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-1) used their height and strength to cruise to a 3-0 sweep over the North Carolina Central Eagles (1-6) by scores of 25-12, 25-13 and 25-15 Friday evening at Cameron Indoor Stadium for the opening round of the Duke Volleyball Invitational Tournament.
NCCU was led by senior outside hitter Belinda Behncke-Biney, who notched eight kills, two service aces and six digs, while junior transfer Emanuelle Santos totaled six kills and four digs. Behncke-Biney and Santos combined for 14 of the Eagles' 18 kills. NCCU managed to drop in five aces from behind the service line.
On the defensive side of the ball, junior Sashalee Wallen stepped up to the challenge, anchoring the Eagles' blocking game with five blocks. Alexis John added two blocks to the mix, while Kalin Russell, Jzima-Malaki Kalao, Santos and Behncke-Biney combined for five to give the Eagles six total blocks on the match.
Raven King, the starting libero for the Eagles, led NCCU in digs with eight, followed by Behncke-Biney with six. Kalao, Santos and John added four each, while Maritsann Sinclair collected one.
For the complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com
LadyCats Come Out Firing, but Fall to FIU, 3-1
CORAL GABLES, Fla. - The LadyCats of Bethune-Cookman volleyball opened the 10th Annual Hurricane Invitational like the pieces had finally come together, taking out the first set against FIU. However, the Panthers quickly fired back and powered past B-CU over the next three sets, handing B-CU the 3-1 loss.
Though FIU claimed the early advantage in the opening set, B-CU fought their way into the game, tied it up and broke the deadlock at 10, going on 6-1 swing to take control. FIU stayed close, but the LadyCats were able to keep them at an arm's length, breaking out of a late-game tie to put in four consecutive points for the 25-21 win. In the opening set, B-CU had their best hitting of the day, logging a .214 team hitting percentage, while holding the Panthers to .154.
For the complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com
Eagles Drop Opening Match of Friar Classic
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Alexandria Malesick had six kills and Ashley Saunders added two kills and 12 digs, but Coppin State dropped a 25-14, 25-15, 25-14 decision to Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday in the Eagles opening round match of the Providence Friar Classic at Mullaney Gymnasium.
Vanity Massey added four kills and Yolanda Reid had three kills, while Haley Beechler had 12 assists and six digs for the Eagles.
Fairleigh Dickinson (3-7) was led by Sarah Berkland who had a match-high 10 kills to lead the Knights.
Sarah Willey had 24 assists and eight digs and Kelsey Semler added 20 digs.
For the complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com
Morgan State Falls to Kent State
CLEVELAND, Ohio -Morgan State played the first match of the Cleveland State Invitational on Friday afternoon against Kent State and dropped a 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-14) decision to the Golden Flashes at Woodling Gym. The loss was the Lady Bears second to Kent State in as many meetings and was the seventh consecutive loss this season.
Kent State, which improved to 5-4 on the season was led by Liva Brivule, who finished with a match-high 15 kills and added 10 digs. Kristen Barr finished with a match-high 16 digs, while Lauren Jones tallied a team-high 21 assists.
Morgan State (1-7) was led by Ashley Johnson, who finished with a team-high 11 kills and added 10 digs, both career highs. Dina Beamon led Morgan State with 11 digs and Ngebui (Natalie) Chafeh totaled 21 of Morgan State's 26 digs.
For the complete story, visit www.morganstatebears.com