Perfect start continues for Hawks

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. — The last time UMES achieved a 4-0 start was in 2003, the year current Hawks head coach Toby Rens led the team to a then-record 26 wins in his first go-around in Princess Anne.

However, UMES had never started a season 5-0—until this year. That’s because the 2015 edition of the Hawks finished off Quinnipiac 3-0 at the Hytche Center Friday night to take their first five matches of the season.

Additionally, the victory gives UMES a five-game win streak of any variety for the first time since the 2012 squad won 14 in a row on their way to a MEAC championship.

Freshman Zuzana Ondruskova was the lone Hawk to tally double digits in kills with 12. She was barely edged by fellow first year player Rachel Kayongo with a .389 kill percentage among primary attackers. Senior Andjela Reljic reached double digit digs with 13 to go along with four aces, and sophomore Alana Polk contributed on six blocks, one of them solo.

A doubleheader awaits the team on Saturday as they hope to further advance their school-best start. UMES will face Delaware State at noon and North Carolina A&T State at 6 p.m.

For complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com

 

 

Hampton falls at Davidson to open Wildcat Classic

DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Hampton University volleyball team opened up its slate in the Wildcat Classic on Friday evening at the John M. Belk Arena, as tournament host Davidson won 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-17).

The Lady Pirates fell to 0-4 on the season.

Reeana Richardson, Allysa Medina, and Lena Washington each had eight kills to lead the Lady Pirates, while Washington also had two total blocks. Mallory Beard had a team-high 12 digs on defense, and Ravyn Richardson had a team-high 18 assists.

Kyndall Nicholas had three total blocks.

The Lady Pirates will be back in action on Saturday, taking on East Carolina at 10 a.m. and Presbyterian at 4 p.m.

For complete story, visit www.hamptonpirates.com

 

 

Sacramento State Downs Norfolk State

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Sacramento State cruised through the first set and did not look back in a 3-0 win over the Norfolk State volleyball team on Friday afternoon in the Campbell Invitational.

The Hornets won that first set by a 25-11 score at Gore Arena before taking the next two by scores of 25-14 and 25-23. No player had more than six kills for Sacramento State (4-1), which hit .241 and used 16 different players throughout the match.

The Spartans (0-4) were led by senior Angie Darcus, who tallied team-leading totals of nine kills and 12 digs.

The Spartans will face Campbell at 12:30 and UNC Wilmington at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday during the second day of the tournament.

For complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com

 

 

Lady Eagles Take Wake Forest to the Limit

ELON, N.C. – North Carolina Central University rallied from a 2-0 deficit and forced a fifth set against Wake Forest University before falling 3-2 in Friday’s opener of the Elon University Phoenix Classic.

Wake Forest (2-2) leveled its record with the 25-15, 25-15, 23-25, 22-25, 15-8 triumph. NCCU (0-5) remained winless on the season.

Junior Kelsey Murphy spiked a match-high 16 kills. Senior Kelly Rossip and freshman Kierra Shipman also reached the double-digit kill plateau with 13 and 11 kills, respectively. The trio all set season-high kill totals as NCCU hit .136 for the match.

Rossip and Shipman also had four blocks apiece.

Junior Casey Curran returned to the lineup and posted her first double-double for the Lady Eagles with 34 assists and 13 digs.

Freshman Tamika Brekke led NCCU with 24 digs. Murphy added eight digs and sophomore Paige Phillips chipped in seven digs.

The duo of senior Matalee Reed and sophomore Kylie Long paced the Demon Deacons. Reed matched Murphy with 16 kills and tallied seven block assists. Long logged a double-double of 15 kills and 15 digs.

Freshman Rachel Burau and junior Sophia Dodd coordinated Wake Forest’s attack with 31 and 30 assists, correspondingly.

Defensively, sophomore Caroline Wolf paced the Demon Deacons with 19 digs and junior Hanna Lee notched nine block assists.

NCCU will continue play in the Elon Phoenix Classic with two matches on Saturday. The Lady Eagles will first play host Elon at 12:30 p.m., followed by Charleston Southern University at 4:30 p.m.

For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com

 

 

Savannah State Falls to Austin Peay at the Blazer Classic

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Senior outside hitter Christian Lyle led the team with five kills as Savannah State University volleyball fell to Austin Peay 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-10) on Friday night at Bartow Arena at the Blazer Classic.

Three Lady Tigers (0-6), freshmen outside hitters Makayla Tam and Chineye Ofodile and junior setter Caitlynn Masoe, each added three kills, while Masoe also added nine assists, three digs and two block assists.  Junior libero Alexis Washington led the team with seven digs, while freshman setter Briana Littlejohn added five digs and five assists. 

The Lady Governors were led by Ashely Slay with six kills and had a .500 hitting percentage, Kristen Stucker with 21 assists and Peyton Walker with eight digs.

The Lady Tigers continue with the Blazer Classic in Birmingham, Ala., with a doubleheader on Saturday starting with host UAB at 10 a.m. followed by Florida International at 3 p.m.

For complete story, visit www.ssuathletics.com

 

 

Coppin State blanked by Cal Poly at Hampton Inn Waco North Invitational

WACO, Texas - The Coppin State volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to Cal Poly on the first day of the Hampton Inn Waco North Invitational at Baylor University's Ferrell Center Friday night.

It was the first time Coppin State (0-4 overall) had ever played the Mustangs, who improved to 4-0.

Coppin State's senior tandem of Kendra Ireigbe and Cindy Okpegbue combined for 11 kills while senior Chelsee Sauni had 10 assists. Okpegbue also led the Lady Eagles with seven digs and a pair of blocks.

Coppin State, which leads the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in blocks, finished with eight.

Raeann Greison led Cal Poly with a match-high 12 kills.

The Lady Eagles conclude the weekend by meeting host Baylor at 11:00 a.m. and Sam Houston State at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

For complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com