Next Match:
at North Carolina Central
11/1/2024 | 6 p.m.
Nov. 01 (Fri) / 6 p.m.
at North Carolina Central
History
BALTIMORE, Md. (Oct. 27, 2024)– In an exhilarating showdown, the Morgan State volleyball team faced their nemesis, the Delaware State Hornets, on Sunday afternoon at Hill Field House. The match concluded in a nail-biting 3-2 (25-15, 25-14, 21-25, 21-25, 15-12) loss for the Bears, marking their second consecutive defeat of the weekend.
The visiting Delaware State team improved its record to 11-11 overall and dominated the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with a 7-2 standing, extending their impressive winning streak to six matches and sweeping the season series against Morgan State.
Despite a disheartening previous loss against Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State came out strong, showcasing a remarkable performance with a striking .423 hitting percentage that included 14 kills in the opening set. Meanwhile, they effectively limited Delaware State to a mere .100 hitting rate. Trinity Carruthers and Daniela Ferreira spearheaded the offensive efforts, each contributing three kills, ultimately securing a convincing 25-15 victory in the first set.
Morgan State continued to maintain momentum, notching 10 kills in the second set, reaching a hitting percentage of .207. In stark contrast, Delaware State struggled with only seven kills, resulting in a low .061 hitting percentage. This set saw Madison Grace shine with three kills on four attempts, achieving a remarkable .750 hitting percentage, supported by Addison Metts.
Delaware State made a powerful comeback in the third set, recording an impressive .242 hitting percentage with 14 kills. Morgan State managed to keep pace with 10 kills but ultimately fell short, giving the Hornets their first set win at 25-21.
Following a fierce back-and-forth, Delaware State took control in the fourth set, matching Morgan State’s tenacity, ultimately evening the score at two sets apiece with another 25-21 win, primarily led by Gerren Tomlin’s five kills.
In the decisive fifth set, Delaware State took an early lead, but Morgan State rallied back to briefly grasp an 8-7 advantage, aided by a service ace from Mikaela Esparza. Tension rose as both teams exchanged points, but ultimately Delaware State clinched the match with solid teamwork, finishing strong at 15-12.
Tomlin shone brightest for the Hornets, achieving a match-high 16 kills and complementing her performance with 14 digs to secure a double-double. Alondra Maldonado contributed 12 kills and Valeria Otero led defensively with an exceptional 17 digs. Naz Tuncay topped the assists leaderboard with 25, while Paige Ahakuelo added 20 to the tally.
Delaware State concluded the match with a total of 55 kills and a .128 hitting percentage, complemented by 52 assists, 54 digs, eight service aces, and six service errors throughout.
Morgan State was guided by Ferreira, who registered 12 kills, supplemented with eight digs and three assists, while Grace and Metts contributed 11 and 10 kills, respectively. The defense was fortified by Erin Carpenter with 11 digs, followed closely by Esparza and Hannah Chappelle.
Morgan State’s performance included a solid .215 hitting percentage with 51 kills as they amassed 54 digs, 42 assists, and an impressive nine service aces. The Bears dominated the blocking game, outpacing the Hornets 13.0 to 5.0, with standout contributions from Aubrey Wilson and Jada Williams.
Looking ahead, Morgan State will embark on a challenging road trip, facing off against North Carolina Central on Friday, November 1, at 6 p.m. in Durham, NC. Subsequently, they will head to Orangeburg, SC, to battle South Carolina State on Sunday, November 3, at 11 a.m.
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
**Interview with Morgan State Volleyball Coach, Sarah Johnson**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach Johnson. Your team recently faced off against Delaware State in a challenging match that concluded with a close 3-2 loss. How are you feeling about the match and your team’s performance?
**Coach Johnson:** Thanks for having me. Despite the loss, I’m incredibly proud of the effort the team put forth. We started strong, especially in the first two sets, showcasing our skill and strategy. However, it’s clear that we need to work on maintaining our intensity throughout the entirety of the match.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the strong start against Delaware State. What do you think contributed to that initial success?
**Coach Johnson:** Our players came out fired up and focused. We had a remarkable .423 hitting percentage in the first set, which is a testament to our offensive execution. Players like Trinity Carruthers and Daniela Ferreira really stepped up, making key plays that set the tone early on.
**Interviewer:** After those first two sets, the momentum seemed to shift. What do you attribute the comeback from Delaware State to?
**Coach Johnson:** Delaware State is a tough team; they have a lot of experience, especially with players like Gerren Tomlin. Our inability to close out the third set was a turning point. Their adjustments allowed them to regain their confidence, and we struggled to respond effectively. We need to learn from this and find ways to stay composed when the momentum shifts.
**Interviewer:** With the North Carolina Central match coming up on November 1st, what are your plans for preparing the team this week?
**Coach Johnson:** We’ll focus on refining our defensive coordination and improving our serve-receive game, which will be crucial against North Carolina Central. We’ll also emphasize mental resilience since that can make all the difference in tight matches. The goal is to not just bounce back but to build on what we’ve learned from our recent games.
**Interviewer:** Last question: what do you want to see from your players as you head into the next match?
**Coach Johnson:** I want to see them carry the intensity we had in the first two sets of the Delaware State match throughout the entire match. We need to play every point with purpose and pride. If we can do that, I believe we can achieve a great result against North Carolina Central.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach Johnson. Best of luck in your next match!
**Coach Johnson:** Thank you! We appreciate the support.
**Interviewer:** Great insights, Coach Johnson. Moving forward, you have a challenging road trip starting with North Carolina Central on November 1st. What are your key focus areas to prepare for that matchup?
**Coach Johnson:** The upcoming match against North Carolina Central is crucial for us. We need to focus on maintaining our consistency and finding a way to sustain our momentum through each set. Defense will be a priority as well, as we need to minimize errors and control the net. We’ve had strong blocking performances, and we want to leverage that against North Carolina Central.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the importance of consistency. How do you plan to achieve that with your team, especially after such a close match against Delaware State?
**Coach Johnson:** Consistency comes from both mental and physical preparation. In practice, we’ll simulate match situations that require us to stay focused and adaptable. We’ll also be reviewing video to highlight moments where we can improve our communication on the court, ensuring that players are fully engaged and aware of their roles throughout the match.
**Interviewer:** With a packed schedule ahead, how do you manage to keep the team’s spirits high despite the tough results?
**Coach Johnson:** It’s all about fostering a positive culture. We emphasize growth over the outcome. Celebrating small victories, whether it’s a strong play or improving in a specific area, keeps morale high. We also maintain an open line of communication, encouraging players to share their thoughts and strategies. This builds trust and teamwork, which is essential, especially in tough moments.
**Interviewer:** what can fans expect from your team as they head into this next match against North Carolina Central?
**Coach Johnson:** Fans can expect a fierce fight from our team. We’ve learned a lot from our recent matches, and we’re ready to put that knowledge to the test. Our players are determined, and I believe they’ll come out ready to play with passion and tenacity. We appreciate all the support from our fans and look forward to representing Morgan State with pride on the court.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your time, Coach Johnson. Best of luck in your upcoming matches!
**Coach Johnson:** Thank you! We’re excited and appreciate the support!
