PRINCESS ANNE, Md. — South Carolina State opened Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play with a hard-fought four-set loss to Maryland Eastern Shore on Friday night at the Hytche Center.
The Lady Bulldogs battled throughout the match and produced more kills than the Hawks, but UMES held off several SC State rallies to earn a 3-1 (26-24, 25-16, 21-25, 25-22) victory. SC State moved to 4-12 overall and 0-1 in MEAC play, while UMES improved to 2-10 and 1-0 in the league.
SC State finished with
53 kills, nine more than UMES' 44, while recording 48 assists and 35 digs. The Lady Bulldogs hit .176 for the match and registered five total blocks.
Kenna Harris led the Bulldogs offensively with 12 kills, hitting .292 on 24 attempts while adding three block assists for 13.5 points.
Hedia Lewis and
Amani Hawkins each contributed nine kills, while
Carra Pierre-Louis added eight.
Taelyn Graham was efficient in limited attempts, finishing with four kills on seven swings for a team-best .571 hitting percentage.
The Lady Bulldogs used two setters throughout the match, with
Arianna James distributing 24 assists and
Kiyla Mighty adding 19.
Jordan Dalland led the SC State back row with 13 digs, while
Chloe Neal collected six.
Lady Bulldogs respond in third set
After dropping a tightly contested opening set 26-24 and the second 25-16, SC State responded with its strongest offensive performance of the night.
The Lady Bulldogs erupted for
17 kills with only three attack errors, hitting .368 in the third set. Harris was particularly effective, putting down seven kills on 12 attempts for a .500 hitting percentage. Hawkins added four kills while hitting .300 as SC State extended the match with a 25-21 victory.
The momentum carried into a competitive fourth set. SC State erased a 15-12 deficit and moved in front 16-15 before the teams continued trading points. Hawkins delivered consecutive kills to put the
Lady Bulldogs ahead 20-19, but UMES answered and regained a 21-20 advantage. SC State pulled even at 21 on a block by Hawkins and De'omi McPherson before the Hawks scored three straight points to take control.
Ki'ra Wright kept the Lady Bulldogs alive with a kill at 24-22, but UMES closed the match on the next rally for the 25-22 decision.
SC State's ability to generate offense remained a bright spot, as the Lady Bulldogs reached double figures in kills in three of four sets and finished with 53 for the match. The third-set performance highlighted the Lady Bulldogs' offensive potential, with SC State siding out at a 68% rate while hitting .368.
SCSU will look to regroup as they continue MEAC play Sunday (Sept. 27) on the road at Delaware State. First serve is 12 noon.
