PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Maryland Eastern Shore kept the Spartans winless in MEAC play with a 3-0 victory over the Norfolk State volleyball team on Friday evening at the W.P. Hytche Athletic Center.
 
The Hawks pulled ahead early in the first set and used a big run in the second to win 25-18 and 25-15, respectively, in the opening stages of the match. Norfolk State nearly extended the match in the third stanza, but again the Hawks rallied in earning a 26-24 victory for the sweep.
 
Maryland Eastern Shore improved its league best overall record to 15-6. The Hawks also moved their MEAC mark to 2-0.
 
NSU fell to 3-13 overall and 0-3 in the league despite hitting a respectable .227 for the night. MDES countered with a .320 clip and just seven attack errors.
 
The Spartans had chances, especially in the middle of the second set and late in the third. But both times, the Hawks responded with big runs.
 
NSU started the second set up 7-4, and freshman Taylor Eichelberger had three kills a little later that extended the lead to 13-8. The Spartans still lead by a 15-12 margin after a kill from sophomore Daiysa Burrell before the wheels fell off. Lucia Babic and Rachel Kayongo each had three kills during a huge 13-0 run that closed out the set for the Hawks.
 
Still, despite that huge swing in momentum, NSU came back to take the lead again in the third set. Senior Hope Forsythe had a kill and two straight service aces for an early 6-3 lead. After a 7-2 run by the Hawks, NSU scored six straight – three on kills from freshman Clara Kick – and nine of the next 11 points.
 
The Spartans led 17-12 at that point, still held a five-point edge at 21-16 when MDES called timeout and were one point away from forcing a fourth set. Down 24-18 after a service ace from Eichelberger, the Hawks again closed out a set on a big run. This time it was eight straight points, including three off service aces from Alana Polk.
 
The Hawks hit .387 with just one attack error in that third set.
 
Maryland Eastern Shore led 14-5 at the start of the first set and by as much as 12 before the Spartans used an 8-2 to make it a more respectable margin at the end.
 
For NSU, Eichelberger and Burrell led the way with eight kills each. Kick added seven, and senior Melvina Brown led all players with 15 digs. NSU held a 49-40 edge in digs.
 
Babic and Kayongo each posted nine kills for the Hawks, and Iva Vujosevic tallied eight kills, seven digs and three aces.
 
NSU completes the weekend with a trip to Delaware State on Sunday for a 3 p.m. contest at DSU's Memorial Hall.