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Nov. 3, 2008 PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - It is the time of new beginnings for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). This week marks the start of the 2008 NCAA Champion women's bowling team's season and the men's basketball program under new Head Coach Frankie Allen. The women's volleyball team has dominated Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opponents this season and are taking a break from competition before heading to the conference championships as the top team in the northern division. For the period ending October 26, Christina Estebané and Peter Sang were named UMES Athletes of the Week. Estebané led the women's volleyball team to a 2-0 mark and extended its home win streak to 16 matches. She hit 57 percent from the floor and totaled 71 assists for the week. Sang, of the men's cross country team, finished second in the MEAC Championships, hosted by UMES. He crossed the finish line on the eight-kilometer course in 25:40.47, helping the team to a runner-up finish for the conference title. WOMEN'S BOWLING For the first time in the history of the UMES, one of its athletic teams is ranked no. 1 in the nation. The 2008 NCAA National Champion women's bowling team enters the 2009 campaign as the pre-season favorite according to the poll released from the National Tenpins Coaches Association (NTCA). The women's bowling team held the previous best mark for a team ranking when they were second last season. This year the team returns NTCA National Rookie of the Year and a First-Team All-American in Kristina Frahm and Second-Team All-America Maria Rodriguez. "We are thrilled to welcome back all of our returnees," said Head Coach Sharon Brummell. "They are the key to our success this year. Not only do we return two National performers but we return three seniors whose experience and leadership will be invaluable." The Hawks will count on that veteran squad to fill voids left by two other All-Americans. Laura Zanrucha and Jessica Worsley, the 2008 NCAA Most Outstanding Performer, both of whom graduated last May. UMES received 10 out of a possible 20 first place votes, a total of 590 points, in the first of five polls conducted throughout the year by the NTCA. MEAC rival Delaware State, behind the leadership of pro-bowling sensation Kim Terrell is ranked ninth in the polls. WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL Last year, the women's volleyball team hit a record 27 aces against Coppin State. They nearly topped that goal in their 3-0 (25-13, 25-12, 25-11) win over the Lady Eagles, as they posted a season high 21 aces, clinching the Northern Division title for the second straight year. "We put ourselves in a position to potentially take over the number one ranking in the nation for aces per set," said Head Coach Don Metil. "We knew that we had to come out aggressively behind the line and felt confident that if we made an error, we could sideout." Everyone on the UMES roster saw time on the court as the Lady Hawks out performed Coppin in nearly every category. Estebané led the offense with game-highs of 27 assists and seven aces. Whitney Johnson and Christine Edwards tied for the game-high of eight kills. Johnson had a career high five aces and Leah Amundson finished with a game-high seven digs. UMES is currently ranked fifth nationally in aces per set with Estebané ranking sixth overall individually. The Lady Hawks hit .647 as a team in the second set, allowing Coppin to score just seven earned points. They held off second place MEAC Northern Division rival Howard University 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-14), in a match that marked second year Head Coach Don Metil's 20th straight regular season conference win. The Lady Hawks (23-8) go into the MEAC Championships in first place in the north, having swept northern division opponents in straight sets. "We feel confident going into the tournament," said Metil. "We spread the ball around. Everyone knows we have excellent outside hitters, but hopefully they know we also have three great middles and a right side as well." All six starters recorded kills for the Lady Hawks who hit .306 as a team. Estebané continued her stellar play, posting game-highs of 25 assists and four aces. She also finished with seven kills and six digs. Johnson, reigning MEAC Player of the Year has been incredibly accurate for the Lady Hawks. She finished with a game-high 12 kills, hitting 61-percent. Amundson and Caylin Woodward tied for a game-high eight digs. Woodward tied Estebané with the game-high four aces. "This is the first time in UMES history that we have gone 10-0 in conference play without losing a set," said Metil. His record at UMES is now 25-1 against MEAC opponents. UPCOMING GAMES, MEETS AND MATCHES The women's bowling team will compete in Washington, D.C. at the MEAC Northern Division competition November 8-9. They will face Delaware State, Coppin State, Morgan, Howard and Hampton. Men's basketball opens their season at home on October 4 in an exhibition game against Swarthmore in the William P. Hytche Athletic Center. |
