HAMPTON ADVANCES TO MEAC FINAL FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE SEASON

BALTIMORE, Md. – Vendula Strakova recorded 35 kills to lead Hampton to a 3-1 victory over Coppin State in the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Volleyball Championship semifinal match at the Physical Education Complex on Saturday.

The Lady Pirates (20-10), the defending tournament champions, advance to Sunday’s MEAC Championship Match for the second straight season by winning 25-17, 22-25, 25-16, 25-19.

Strakova added 14 digs en route to her 19th double-double of the season and finished with a .508 hitting percentage. She had 22 of her kills in the third and fourth sets to lead Hampton.

Also registering a double-double for Hampton was Krista Kraskura (12 kills, 17 digs). Leading Hampton on defense was Allysa Medina with 18 digs.

Coppin State got a team-high 15 kills from Kandace Thomas along with a match-high 23 digs from Gabrielle Otero.

Hampton will meet Howard in Sunday’s championship match televised live on ESPN3 at noon and ESPNU on tape-delay at 9 p.m.

HOWARD OUTLASTS FLORIDA A&M TO REACH FIRST MEAC FINAL SINCE 1994

BALTIMORE, Md. – Khaila Donaldson registered 20 kills and 11 digs as Howard outlasted Florida A&M, 3-2, in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) semifinal match at the Physical Education Complex on Saturday.

The Lady Bison (20-10) advance to their first MEAC Championship match for the first time since 1994 when Howard defeated Morgan State (3-0) in the final.

Howard took the opening set, 26-24, but fell behind after Florida A&M won the next two sets, 25-21 and 25-18. The Lady Bison forced the deciding set with a 25-20 win, before taking the match, 15-12.

Stephanie Shultis finished with 27 assists to help pace the offensive attack for Howard. Allyson Lods led the way defensively with 12 digs, while Katherine Broussard and Carlise Cardoza each had 10.

Ginna Lopez-Chavez and Pamela Soriano each finished with 15 kills to lead Florida A&M (12-15). Soriano also recorded a team-high 22 digs. Yeshia Arcia registered 13 kills and Valeria Lopez chipped in with 33 assists.