PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – The Coppin State volleyball team unfurled a rally to remember to enjoy a happy trip home over the Chesapeake Bay and across the scenic Bay Bridge.
In the face of adversity, the Eagles united, stayed strong and trusted each other in winning the last two sets to earn a memorable 3-2 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division treasure Sunday afternoon at the W.P. Hytche Center.
Coppin State (8-9 overall, 2-2 MEAC North) overcame a 2-1 deficit to even its conference mark. The Eagles and Hawks traded 25-17 wins in the first two sets before UMES took the third game, 25-19, setting up the dramatic ending. Coppin State showcased its character, heart and depth in winning the last two sets, 25-22 and 15-10.
During the victory, junior setter
Chelsee Sauni became Coppin State's all-time leader in assists. Sauni finished with a match-high 48 assists to raise her career mark to 2,505. She surpassed Krystal Williams' total of 2,497 with her final assist of the fourth set that ended with a
Nicole Malave-Adams kill for a 24-22 CSU edge.
Sauni became the second CSU player to establish a program record over the weekend.
Senior
Ariel Richard, who had a match-high 19 kills against UMES, became the all-time leader in Coppin history in that category last Friday against Hampton. So for those who are counting at home, Coppin State currently has the all-time program leaders in kills, assists and digs (
Gabrielle Otero) all performing at a high-level during this amazing era in its program history.
Junior
Cindy Okpegbue had 13 kills for the Eagles and
Kandace Thomas added nine kills along with a .421 hitting percentage. Malave-Adams and
Maya Horner each had five kills. Otero led the defense with 21 digs while
Kendra Ireigbe contributed five blocks.
The Eagles finished with a flourish by scoring seven of the last nine points of the match after both teams were tied 8-8 in the fifth set. The Eagles pulled together as a unit in the decisive set as six players had at least one kill. Sauni assisted on all eight of Coppin State's kills in the fifth set. Richard gave Coppin State the lead for good with a kill that snapped an 8-8 tie. The Eagles also hit .438 in the fifth game.
For the Hawks, Ashley Smith had a team-high 13 kills and Kirsten Fink added 12 kills. Overall, UMES had 57 kills as a team, which was two more than Coppin State. Meanwhile, the setting tandem of Fink (24) and Precious Manu (23) combined for 47 assists. Smith also had 13 digs to lead UMES. She was one of three Hawks to finish with double-digit digs. Haley Robinson recorded seven blocks.
Coppin State returns to action Friday night when it travels to face Delaware State in a match that begins at 7:00 p.m.
