BALTIMORE, November 19, 2011- Maryland Eastern Shore defeated Hampton, 3-0 in the semifinal round of the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) volleyball championship tournament Saturday afternoon at the Physical Education Complex on the campus of Coppin State University.

Hampton (13-14), who upset South Carolina State in the quarterfinals, continued its hot start from yesterday going up 2-0 early on the service ace of Mianna Armstrong. However, Ndidi Ibe and Maline Vaitai came up with key defensive blocks to pull the Lady Hawks even a 2-all. Both teams used their defenses to keep the game even early. Midway thru the first set service errors by each team brought the score to a 10-10 tie.

Zoe Bowens took over serving and lead a 5-1 run for the Lady Hawks to give them a commanding 15-11 lead. Hampton attempted to climb back but was unable to get closer than four points from the lead. Maryland Eastern Shore's (23-6) offense controlled the set with MEAC Rookie of the Year Saitaua Iosia and Ibe recording 5 kills each in the first set. The Lady Hawks capture the first set 25-20 to take an early one set lead.

Iosia, using a serving ace, helped pull the Lady Hawks out to an early 3-0 lead in the second set. The Lady Pirates were unable to rebound, quickly falling to a 10-2 deficit. Bowens took over the middle part of the set for Maryland Eastern Shore with six service aces and four kills to extend the lead to 22-9. The Lady Hawks took the second set 25-9 and headed into the third set with a 2-0 lead. 

The Lady Hawks jumped out to an early 4-1 mark coming out of the break. Hampton fought back to pull the set within two but attack errors by the Lady Pirates allowed Maryland Eastern Shore to extend its lead to 9-4.

Hampton was able to put together a 3-0 run to pull the game tighter. Iosia answered for the Lady Hawks with three kills to push the lead back up to five. Hampton clawed back again behind two kills by Armstrong to pull within one at 15-14. Iosia responded for Maryland Eastern Shore with two kills late to push the lead back up to four and help the Lady Hawks capture the set 25-19.

Iosia led UMES with 13 kills and nine digs for the game. Bowens served seven service aces and Vaitai led the the Lady Hawks in digs with 12. Jessica Vivic guided the offense with 35 assists and contributed nine digs. Ibe had four blocks in the game to lead the defense.

The Lady Pirates where led by Krista Kraskura who had nine kills, six digs and two blocks. Sheileen Pagan recorded a team-high 10 digs. Armstrong also helped the Lady Pirates with seven kills.

The MEAC Volleyball Championship tournament continues Saturday with Florida A&M facing off against Bethune-Cookman at 3:30 p.m. The winner will advance to face the Lady Hawks.