Hawks pick up conference win against Hampton

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. — Originally meant to be played Saturday but postponed due to potential threat of coastal flooding and Hurricane Joaquin, Tuesday’s match gave the UMES volleyball team a chance to regroup after dropping three of four to succeed a 10-0 start. With 11 days of rest, the Hawks used an all-around team effort, using every available player, to defeat the Hampton Pirates, 3-0, at the Hytche Center.

The Hawks picked up their first conference victory of the season to improve to 12-3 overall (1-1 MEAC). The Pirates fell to 0-16 (0-3 MEAC).

Sophomore Kirstin Fink was the Hawks’ most consistent performer with nine kills and a .667 percentage to go along with 13 assists, an ace, three digs and two block assists. Haley Robinson was also a major aide to the cause with eight kills, three digs, and three block assists, while Alana Polk supplied six block assists to help the offense.

For the Pirates, Lena Washington narrowly missed a double-double with nine kills and nine digs.

The Hawks will now look to keep their winning ways in the face of a challenging road trip to Baltimore, as the team travels to Morgan State on Friday evening and Coppin State Saturday afternoon.

For complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com or www.hamptonpirates.com

Nathaniel leads SSU with Nine Kills in Lady Tigers loss

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Junior middle blocker Gabrielle Nathaniel led Savannah State University volleyball team with nine kills as the Lady Tigers (0-22) fell to University of North Florida (15-4) 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-15) in Willcox-Wiley Gym on Tuesday night.

The Ontario, Canada native added three total blocks, two assists and had a .316 hitting percentage.  Over the last two matches, Nathaniel has recorded a team-best 17 kills, 2.83 kills per set, eight digs, seven total blocks, 1.17 blocks per set, three assists and had a .270 hitting percentage. 

Freshman outside hitter Makayla Tam and junior setter Caitlynn Masoe each added six kills, while Masoe led the team with 14 assists and added six digs, a service ace, two total blocks and had a .500 hitting percentage, while Tam added two total blocks, a service ace, three digs and two assists.  Junior libero Alexis Washington led the team with nine digs and added three assists.

The Ospreys were led by Morgan Van Alstine with nine kills, Carinne Turner with 26 assists and Kimberly Ferguson with nine digs.

The Lady Tigers travel to Orangeburg, S.C., to face South Carolina State on Friday at 7 p.m. and returns home to face a non-conference opponent of Mercer on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. in Willcox-Wiley Gym.

For complete story, visit www.ssuathletics.com