Richard and Okegbue lead Coppin State past Morgan State in MEAC opener
BALTIMORE -- Ariel Richard and Cindy Okpegbue each had 13 kills as Coppin State opened Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play with a 25-23, 25-20, 15-25, 21-25, 15-11 victory over Morgan State before a raucous crowd in the Physical Education Complex on Friday.
Coppin State (4-11, 1-0 MEAC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead only to see Morgan State storm back to win the third and fourth sets. Richard and Okpegbue combined for five kills in the fifth, and deciding set, as the Eagles prevailed.
Richard finished with 13 kills and a .212 attack percentage, while Okpegbue had 13 kills and a .171 hitting percentage.
Kendra Ireigbe had seven kills, including four in the decisive fifth set, and posted a .357 attack percentage. Kandace Thomas added seven kills and three blocks for the Eagles.
Chelsee Sauni had 45 assists directing the CSU offensive attack and Gabrielle Otero anchored the defense with 19 digs.
Morgan State (5-9, 0-1 MEAC) was led by Janelle Wilson who had 14 kills, while Samantha Prescott had 12 kills and Zuri Smith added 10 kills. Prescott also had a team-high 18 digs, while Tamara Leslie added 16 digs.
For complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com or www.morganstatebears.com
Florida A&M powers past Savannah State
SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Savannah State volleyball squad opened up their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) schedule Friday night in Willcox-Wiley Gym against perennial conference power Florida A&M.
The Lady Tigers fell in three sets to the visitors from Tallahassee. SSU put up the most combined points (50) against the Lady Rattlers since their first season in the MEAC (2010).
Florida A&M, who was picked in a preseason poll to win the MEAC Southern Division, improved to 4-6 with the win and 1-0 in the conference. SSU falls to 0-17 overall and 0-1 in the conference.
The Lady Tigers were led by senior Bryana Gadis, who recorded six kills and five digs. Senior Asiha Williams led in hitting percentage (.222), recording four kills on nine attempts.
Williams and freshman Alexis Washington led in digs with six. Washington returned from injury with the team’s MEAC debut. Justice Dilworth and Bianca Brochu added four kills apiece.
The Lady Rattlers were led by Ginna Lopez-Chavez. She recorded 11 kills on 17 attempts (.529). Katherine Huanec recorded 10 kills and 10 digs as well for FAMU.
For complete story, visit www.ssuathletics.com or www.famuathletics.com
Maryland Eastern Shore extends home win streak over Delaware State
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) volleyball team defeated Delaware State University (DSU), 3-1, to pick up their first conference win of the season. The Lady Hawks also extended their home winning streak to 31 matches. UMES improves to 2-11 overall (1-0 MEAC) while the Hornets drop to 1-10 overall (0-1 MEAC).
Ashley Smith had 15 kills followed by Lauren Berry’s 11 kills. Moriah Brookins and Haley Robinson each had 10 kills. Sonia Rosales had a double-double with 38 assists and 10 digs. Senior Li Jingqiao led the team in digs (23) followed by Allison Woods with 14 digs.
For complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com or www.dsuhornets.com
Hampton opens MEAC play with win over Norfolk State
NORFOLK, Va. – Thanks in part to yet another double-double from junior rightside Vendula Strakova, the Hampton University volleyball team defeated rival Norfolk State 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-14) in Echols Hall Friday night in both teams’ Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opener.
Strakova tallied 27 kills and a team-high 13 digs for her fourth straight double-double – and her 10th of the season – while also hitting .297 and recording four service aces. Sophomore Allysa Medina added eight kills and hit a team-best .533.
Senior setter Bibiany Fonseca had 44 assists and nine digs, while senior libero Sheileen Pagan 11 digs on defense.
Jessica Johnson led Norfolk State with 18 kills.
For complete story, visit www.hamptonpirates.com or www.nsuspartans.com
South Carolina State picks up first win in thriller against Bethune-Cookman
ORANGEBURG, S.C.—Sophomore Shandice Sluch served an ace on match point to give the SC State women’s volleyball team its first win of the season, as they defeated Bethune-Cookman, 3-2, (25-20, 25-21, 27-25, 25-20, 18-16). The victory also marks the first win at the helm of the Lady Bulldogs for first year head Valerie Jones.
Senior Desire Waller led the charge for SC State with 28 kills, 15 digs and two block assists. Sophomore Marissa Lawrence recorded double-12 kills and Sluch picked up 12 digs for the Lady Bulldogs, who improved to 1-14 overall and 1-0 in the MEAC.
Bethune-Cookman was led by Delicia Pierre and Rhea Simon with 17 and 13 kills, respectively. Jennifer Jimenez picked up a game-high 19 digs for the Lady Wildcats, who dropped to 1-15 overall and 0-1 in the MEAC.
For complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com or www.scsuathletics.com