TOWSON, Md. – It's all about the process at this point in the season for Coppin State first-year volleyball coach
Kyetta May.
Championship teams are built in the heat of August during difficult non-conference challenges. Nobody knows that better than May, who has constructed her share of championship teams during her career.
Even though the Eagles dropped the final game of the Towson Invitational to host Towson, 3-0, Sunday afternoon at SECU Arena, there were encouraging signs that they can continue to build upon.
Senior setter
Chelsee Sauni cemented a strong weekend with a match-high 27 assists and team best seven digs. Her overall weekend effort earned her a spot on the all-tournament team for the second straight year. For good measure, the 5 foot, 4 inch Sauni even enjoyed a rare block. A MEAC preseason selection, Sauni finished with 90 assists, averaging 9.0 per set against Manhattan, Tennessee and Towson.
Senior
Kendra Ireigbe joined the milestone club when she became Coppin State's all-time leader in blocks at 3:13 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Ireigbe had six blocks along with five kills. For her career she has 244 blocks. She delivered a consistently strong effort over the weekend as she finished with 25 kills and 12 blocks.
"Kendra's game has elevated and this weekend she was effective on both sides of the ball," May said. "I think Chelsee did a good job in terms of spreading the ball around and put our hitters in position to some nice things."
Overall, Coppin State had a season-best 14 blocks against the Tigers. Many of them came during an entertaining second set that featured 17 ties and six lead changes.
Senior
Cindy Okpegbue led Coppin State with 10 kills, the 44th time in her career she has finished with double-digit kills during a match. She led the Eagles over the weekend with 35 kills.
Freshmen
Samantha Polk and
Marlena Guice had the Tigers on the run during the match as they combined for 12 kills. Polk finished with a career-best seven kills while Guice enjoyed a .417 hitting percentage.
"I think the freshmen did a decent job considering that this was their first collegiate competition," May said. "Next week, the focus for us will be to correct and be more disciplined in the small things."
Leading Towson (4-1 overall) was Haley Pa'akaula (12 kills) and Lindsay Flaherty (11). Anna Holehouse had 13 digs and Aimee Schubert registered 23 assists. The Tigers also had 13 service aces.
Coppin State returns to action Friday night when it plays Cal-Poly at the Baylor University Tournament at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The Eagles will also meet Baylor and Sam Houston State as well during the tournament.
It will be a homecoming for many of the Coppin State players as Okpegbue,
Denali Sturgeon, Polk and
Ellena Torres are all from Texas. Also, Glory Rosado played collegiately at Navarro Community College in Texas.
