Box Score PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – After a close first set, UMES pulled away in the next two for a 3-0 victory over the Norfolk State volleyball team on Friday night at the W.P. Hytche Athletic Center.
 
NSU was on the verge of taking the first set, but UMES erased a late deficit to win, 26-24. The Hawks won in a little easier fashion in the next two stanzas, 25-17 and 25-18, for the sweep.
 
UMES improved to 9-12 overall and 2-4 in MEAC play. The Spartans dropped to 0-18 and 0-6 in conference play.
 
NSU had control of the first set, at least early on, as a kill by junior Angie Darcus put the Spartans ahead, 6-2. After the Hawks cut the deficit to one, the Spartans used a 6-1 run to open a 13-7 lead. UMES did not go away, getting to within one and then finally tying it up at 19-19 following a couple of errors on NSU.
 
After a Spartan attack got blocked for a 22-20 UMES lead, NSU turned right around and won the next four points, two on service aces by senior Adriana Ramos. The Hawks, though, held off set serve several times and then won in extra points.
 
NSU stayed close in the second set, building an early two-point lead and battling to a tie with the Hawks at 15-15. UMES, though, scored 10 of the last 12 points of the set.
 
After falling behind 10-6 in the third, NSU chipped away at the UMES advantage. The Spartans then used a 5-0 run, which included two service aces from junior Meghan Peji, for a 17-15 lead. The Hawks again had the answer late, as this time they scored 10 of the last 11 points of the set to end the match.
 
Sophomore Dominique Parker and freshman Clarke Tyler each had five kills for NSU, while Adriana Ramos added 14 digs. The Spartans, though, hit -.011 for the match, compared to .165 for the Hawks.
 
Ksenia Sukhareva totaled eight kills, six digs and four blocks for UMES, while Alana Polk had six kills and six blocks.
 
NSU will host Hampton on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Joseph Echols Hall for the Battle of the Bay.