BALTIMORE, November 20, 2011- Maryland Eastern Shore defeated Florida A&M, 3-2, to win the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) volleyball championship Sunday afternoon at the Physical Education Complex on the campus of Coppin State University. The win was the first-ever MEAC volleyball crown for the Lady Hawks.
The Florida A&M Lady Rattlers capitalized on early mistakes by Maryland Eastern Shore to build a quick 6-1 lead in the first set. Two consecutive kills by Katherine Huanec helped build Florida A&M's lead to seven. Diana Gonzalez and Maria Ceccarelli's constant presence at the net kept the Lady Hawks offense at bay to go up 17-6 midway through the first set. UMES mounted a rally 3-0 behind the serve of Zoe Bowens, however, FAMU's defense tightened to win the set 25-15 and take a one set lead.
The second set opened much closer with both defenses showing their presence. UMES held a slight 7-5 lead early off attack errors by the Lady Rattlers. Ndidi Ibe took over at the net with four blocks and two kills in the set for the Lady Hawks to help them build the lead to four. Bowens closed the set out for the Lady Hawks with two service aces for UMES to pull the match even at one all.
UMES continued its momentum into the third set building a 3-1 early lead over FAMU. The Lady Rattlers used two attack errors against UMES to pull the score even at four. 2011 MEAC Rookie of the Year Saitaua Iosia answered scoring three straight points, two on service aces, to push the lead to three. The Lady Rattlers struggled to get the offense in rhythm but were able to stay within two early as a result of UMES errors. Jessica Vicic helped guide the offense, building the lead up to 15-10 midway through the set. Ceccarelli kept FAMU close pulling her team within one late in the set. Iosia responded with a kill and a block on back-to-back plays to guide the Lady Hawks to a 25-21 win to lead the match 2-1.
FAMU came into the fourth set with urgency jumping out to a quick 5-0 lead off a Ceccarelli serve. The Lady Hawks went on a 3-0 run to pull within two. The score remained close until FAMU used a 4-0 run to push their lead to five. The Lady Rattlers defense held the rest of the way with neither offense able to make a run and take a 25-18 win and force a decisive fifth set.
The fifth set started sloppy with both teams hindered by serving errors. The Lady Hawks were able to gain a slight lead at 6-5 on a kill by Iosia and hold that lead midway through the set. A service ace by Jessica Vicic and two blocks by the defense put UMES up 11-7. FAMU's defense brought them back to pull within two but a kill by Iosia won the set and the match for the Lady Hawks.
UMES was led by Iosia with 25 kills and 11 digs in the set and was named the Tournament Outstanding Performer. Maline Vaitai and Bowens also contributed 11 and 10 digs, respectively. The Lady Hawks offense ran through Vicic who had 46 assists.
Lady Hawk Head Coach Don Metil was named the Outstanding Coach.
The Lady Rattlers were led by Ceccarelli who had 22 kills. Marija Jovanovic and Huanec also recorded 19 and 22 kills respectively. Karol Marquez led FAMU in digs with 25.
Maryland Eastern Shore will move onto the NCAA Tournament in December. The Lady Hawks will find out their seeding and their opponent on November 27th at 6 p.m. during the NCAA selection show.
-2011 MEAC Volleyball Tournament Honors listed below-
2011 All-Tournament Team
Maria Ceccarelli, Florida A&M
Saitaua Ioisa, Maryland Eastern Shore
Krysta Gardner, Bethune-Cookman
Krista Kraskura, Hampton
Shantel Moore, North Carolina Central
Janeen Davis, Bethune-Cookman
Outstanding Performer: Saitaua Iosia, Maryland Eastern Shore
Outstanding Coach: Don Metil, Maryland Eastern Shore