Hornets Swept By Hawks In MEAC Opener
DOVER, Del. - Sophomore Edarkis Branch led the Delaware State with nine kills, eight digs and three block assists with a .364 attack percentage Tuesday evening at Memorial Hall, as the Hornets opened the MEAC season with a 0-3 (20-25, 19-25, 20-25) loss to Route 13 rival Maryland Eastern Shore.
The reigning MEAC Champion Hawks outhit DSU .355 to .115 on the night and recorded10 blocks to just three for the Hornets.
In the first set, DSU held a 12-11 lead before UMES went off on a six-point run. The Hornets would climb back within two at 17-19, but that is as close as they would get in the set as the Hawks closed out the 25-20 game.
UMES used another rally in the second set to shift the momentum their way and eventually win, 25-19. Two consecutive kills from Branch gave the Hornets the 9-6 advantage and forced the Hawks to take a timeout. Another Branch kill put Del State up at 13-10 before UMES went on a 9-1 run to lead, 19-14.
Junior Jessica Croucher frustrated the Hawks to open the third set as she gave the Hornets a 5-0 lead on four service aces. UMES would respond and eventually take a 10-8 lead. The two teams then exchanged points before UMES went ahead and stayed ahead at 21-20. DSU finished the set and match with six straight attack errors.
Senior Bel Fakaosi led Delaware State with 24 assists while Croucher contributed nine kills and six digs.
For the complete story, visit www.dsuhornets.com
Florida Atlantic Tops Bethune-Cookman
BOCA RATON, Fla. - Krysta Gardner and Delicia Pierre each had six kills as Bethune-Cookman fell 3-0 (25-11 25-10 25-16) to Florida Atlantic Tuesday evening.
Gardner, a senior, now has 984 career kills.
Freshman Monica Lowe had 16 assists for the Lady Cats (0-17) while senior Janeen Davis posted 11 digs. Freshman Rhea Simon had three service aces.
Chandler Hatton and Thacilli Pereira had eight kills as FAU improved to 4-8.
For the complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com
Aggies Fall in Four to Wofford
GREENSBORO-North Carolina A&T fought until the very last point, but their late rally wasn't enough as they fell in four against Wofford on Tuesday night in Moore Gym. The Aggies (0-19) lost to the Terriers (9-5) by 25-18, 19-25, 15-25, 24-26.
In the fourth set, the crowd behind the A&T bench grew more vocal, encouraging the Aggies to victory. The Terriers took a 13-8 lead, but the Aggies fought back. Down 22-18, the Aggies got another important kill from freshman Brooke Stamnes to pull within three. Moments later, junior Jeana Daniels collected a kill to pull A&T within one at 22-21. The crowd volume started to increase, and Stamnes tied the set at 23-23 on a kill. A kill from sophomore Aprill McRae gave the Aggies the lead at 24-23. But Wofford wasn't about to give up. The Terriers picked up a point to make it 24-24. A kill from Rachel Woodlee, who had 18 on the night, made it a 25-24 game for Wofford. McRae went to tip the ball in for a kill, but the ball fell back on her side of the net for attack error that gave Wofford the 26-24 victory.
Freshmen outside hitters Stamnes and Aleena McDaniel let the team offensively, with 12 and 11 kills respectively. Senior Andrea Evans had four block assists on the night to lead the team. The Aggies hit .157 on the night against the Terriers.
For the complete story, visit www.ncataggies.com
Key Injury Hurts NCCU In 3-1 Loss At Radford
RADFORD, Va. - After storming out to an opening-set victory at Radford, North Carolina Central lost the services of its setter and eventually lost Tuesday's match, 3-1 (20-25, 25-6, 25-10, 25-20).
On the road and facing a tough Radford squad, NCCU stepped up to the challenge to capture the first set 25-20. Sophomore outside hitter Dayana Arrufat Rondon led the way for the Eagles with six kills and four digs in the opener.
Early in the second set, though, redshirt freshman setter Melissa Rabell Pineiro went down with an injury, and her night was over. With back-up setter Alice Genna already sidelined with an injury, setting responsibilities fell into the hands of outside hitter Rondon. She respectfully distributed eight assists, but was also whistled for six ball-handling errors and the NCCU offense struggled. The Eagles dropped the second set 25-6 and the third set 25-10.
In the fourth set, NCCU freshman defensive specialist Marilyn Sherbondy moved to setter and things started clicking again. The Eagles jumped out to a 6-1 advantage and led by as much as eight points on three occasions, including a 14-6 cushion. However, Radford scored 11 of the next 12 points to take a 17-15 lead, one the host did not relinquish.
Sherbondy finished the night with six assists, eight digs and only one ball-handling error.
NCCU rookie Christine Anthony topped the Eagles with 12 kills, four digs and two blocks. Junior Kalin Russell dominated the net with a season-high eight blocks to go along with five kills, five digs and a service ace for the Eagles.
For the complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com