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Nov. 10, 2008 PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The men’s basketball season began at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), while the women’s volleyball team prepares for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championships in Hampton, Va. Women’s bowling was voted to repeat as conference champs, their fourth straight and baseball announced their 2009 schedule. Bowling’s Maria Rodriguez was named UMES athlete of the week for the period ending November 2. BASEBALL
The UMES 2009 baseball schedule is highlighted by 33 games at Hawk Stadium and 10 against teams which advanced to last season's NCAA tournament. The Hawks open the season at home with NCAA regional participants Rider (Feb. 21-22) and also face Mount St. Mary's in doubleheaders at home (March 28) and on the road (April 30). Bethune-Cookman, the MEAC's 2008 NCAA tournament representative, visits Princess Anne for a three-game set April 25-26. UMES also plays four games against ACC competition, traveling to Maryland (March 11 and April 1) and Duke (March 17-18). The MEAC tournament in Ormond Beach, Fla., is slated for May 14-17. Former UMES baseball student-athletes from the 1960s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s returned to Hawk Stadium Saturday, Nov. 1 to participate in the annual alumni baseball game. The event had been missed over the past two years due to weather and field conditions. "It's nice to finally get this event off the ground," Head Coach Will Gardner said following his first alumni game. "The interaction between the old and the new is something at which to really marvel.” The event included a round of batting practice, the game and a picnic out at the baseball field. Participants travelled from as far away as Trenton, N.J. and Landsdowne, Pa. There was some local flavor from the Baltimore and Somerset County, as well. WOMEN’S BOWLING Sophomore Rodriguez was named the MEAC Bowling Athlete of the Week for the period ending November 3.
The Second-Team All-American finished third overall at the Fairleigh Dickenson University (FDU) Fright Knight Invite. Rodriguez had a high game of 258, missing her career high (259) by just one. She averaged 223.40 with 1,117 total pins and was named to the All-Tournament Team. The No. 1 ranked women's bowling team was picked to finish first in the MEAC Northern Division by the league's head coaches and sports information directors. The 2007-08 NCAA champion Lady Hawks earned 228 total points and 16 first-place votes. Bethune-Cookman was tabbed to win the southern division with 203 points and 11 votes for the top spot. Delaware State, last season's MEAC championship runners-up, got the remaining four first-place votes in the north and had 192 points. Morgan State (149) took the third spot in the poll, followed by Hampton (143), Howard (128) and Coppin State (100). MEN’S BASKETBALL The men’s basketball team cruised to a 75-35 exhibition win over Division III Swarthmore College in front of 2,069 at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center. Freshman guard Chris Conner scored a game-high 21 points and grabbed three rebounds and junior Neal Pitt collected a double-double with 14 points and 18 boards. Another freshman, Tyler Hines chipped in with four points and 10 boards. "I thought we played hard, played with a lot intensity, we had structure and discipline," said UMES first-year Head Coach Frankie Allen. "We had jitters early, I thought. We missed some shots we normally make, missed some free throws, but our defense was solid for the most part. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL The women's basketball program announced that the game against Big East opponent Syracuse University has been moved to 3 p.m. on November 16 in the William P. Hytche Center. The Orange finished 28 in the nation last year posting a 22-9 overall record. UMES fell to Syracuse in their last meeting 56-85. First Team All-Conference player April McBride recorded her second double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds and Second-Team All-Conference player Tiffany Reid had a team-high 15 points. This will be the official home opener for the Lady Hawks, who return all of their leading scorers, McBride, Reid and MEAC Rookie of the Year Casey Morton. UMES will look to pull their first win of the season by upsetting Syracuse. WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
The MEAC announced that for the second straight year, the UMES women's volleyball team will be the no. 1 seed in the north for the conference tournament. The Lady Hawks finished the regular season undefeated in conference play, setting a school record by not dropping a single set in 14 straight matches against MEAC opponents. "We've put ourselves in a great position to advance in the tournament," said Head Coach Don Metil. "This year's team has the physical ability and the mental capacity to contest for the MEAC championship." Led by senior captain Christina Estebané, 2007 MEAC Player of the Year junior Whitney Johnson and freshman standout Christine Edwards, the Lady Hawks will be facing the no. 4 seed in the south, Norfolk State, in the first round. UMES will need to top the 10-22 Spartans and then take on the winner of northern division rival Delaware State and southern division no. 2 seed South Carolina State, if they are to repeat their appearance in the conference title match. As a team, UMES (23-8) is ranked third nationally for aces per set. The reigning MEAC Champion, Florida A&M, is the no. 1 seed in the south. UPCOMING COMPETITIONS Women’s bowling will be having their home opener hosting the MEAC Northern Division competition on Nov. 15-16 at Millsboro Lanes in Millsboro, Del. Men’s basketball travels to New York to face Stony Brook University in their season opener on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. Look for the women’s basketball team to begin at home in an exhibition game against Elizabeth City State on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. in the William P. Hytche Athletic Center. Women’s volleyball will have to get past first round opponent Norfolk State on Nov. 16 at noon, if they are to make a run to the conference title. |
