LORETTO, Pa. – The Coppin State volleyball team finished its weekend at Saint Francis with a flourish to enjoy a triumphant trek back to the 410.
The Lady Eagles scored the final 10 points of the match to defeat Saint Francis (Pa.), 3-2, at Degol Arena in the final contest of the Red Flash Classic Saturday night. It was the perfect complement to Coppin State's 3-1 victory over Fordham earlier in the day. Coppin State edged St. Francis, 20-25, 26-24, 25-23, 16-25, 15-7. The Lady Eagles won the first two sets against Fordham, 25-15, 25-21 before falling 16-25, in the third set and then rebounding to close the match with a 25-22 victory in the final set.
With the two wins, Coppin State finished its arduous non-conference slate by winning three of its last five matches.
As usual, under first-year head coach
Kyetta May, Coppin State got contribution and memorable efforts from every player who stepped onto the floor.
Coppin State senior
Cindy Okpegbue was a beast against the Red Flash recording her fourth double-double in her last five games with a season-high 20-kill and career best 15 dig performance. Okpegbue had double-doubles in every match over the weekend, including a 10-kill, 11-dig effort in the win over Fordham.
Okpegbue was one of five Coppin State players with at least 15 digs in the win over Saint Francis. Freshman
Samantha Polk posted her first career double-double with 11 kills and a career best 15 digs. Sophomore
Bailee Jackson had nine kills and 15 digs. Senior setter
Chelsee Sauni finished with 44 assists and 16 digs. Meanwhile, sophomore Glory Rosado had a career best 29 digs.
Senior
Kendra Ireigbe had 10 of her 15 kills Saturday in the win over Saint Francis. She also had six blocks each in both matches. She also combined for a .375 hitting percentage on Saturday.
Leading Coppin State in its opening victory over Fordham was senior
Denali Sturgeon, who had a season best 13 kills and a .370 hitting percentage. Sauni had 30 assists. Jackson and Rosado combined for 34 of Coppin State's 55 digs (61.1 percent).
Okpegbue and Sauni were named to the Red Flash All-Tournament team after helping Coppin State conclude the weekend with a 2-1 record.
Coppin State opens Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play Friday night when it visits Norfolk State in a match beginning at 6:00 p.m.
