Nov. 14, 2011

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The first week of November proved to be a very exciting time for University of Maryland Eastern Shore athletics. A season-high six athletic programs were in action, with many of the events taking place at UMES. The volleyball team dominated a pair of home matches to conclude its regular season with a perfect 12-0 record in conference while the cross country teams hosted the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional. The action did not stop there as the men's basketball team kicked off their season with a game at the University of Virginia, the bowling team opened their MEAC schedule with a tournament at Hampton and Gregory Raad represented the golf team at the 10th annual Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Jones Cup.

MEN'S BASKETBALL
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team opened up its season with a 64-48 loss at George Washington University on Friday night. The contest was tight for the majority of the first half before George Washington went on an 11-3 run late in the frame. The Hawks kept pushing and were rewarded as they would close the deficit with a pair of baskets in the final minute to head into halftime down just six points. Despite some shooting struggles, the men kept at it and cut a double-digit second half deficit to seven points midway through the last period. The margin was as close as the Hawks would get as GW would hold its lead the rest of the way.

The Hawks were led by the efforts of senior forward Tyler Hines, who finished with nine points, two blocks and a game-high 15 rebounds. Senior guard Hillary Haley finished with a team-high 12 points and six rebounds while sophomore center Olatunji Kosile had eight points. The men were also paced by the efforts of freshman guard Ishaq Pitt (four assists). The game saw four Hawks register two steals.

In the contest, UMES scored 12 points off second chances and had 11 points off of seven turnovers. The Hawks were 9-of-10 from the charity stripe and finished 18-of-62 (.290) from the field. In two halves, UMES was 18-of-62 (.290) from the field.

CROSS COUNTRY
The men's and women's cross country teams hosted the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional on Saturday afternoon. The squads faced a tough field with the likes of Princeton University, Georgetown University and Villanova University all on hand, but saw several harriers collect impressive finishes in the races. The men placed 22nd at the event (629 points) while the women landed in 28th (840 points). Junior Basil Melek had the best finish among all UMES runners in the 10k as he placed in 30th place with a time of 31:20.0. His 5k time in the race (15:38.8) at the midway check-in stood 13th amongst the 183 men competing. For his efforts, he landed his sixth Peninsula Regional Medical Center University of Maryland Eastern Shore Athlete of the Week distinction.

Melek's time proved to be 80 spots closer than junior Zavior Brown, who was 110th (33:16.4). The Hawks top-5 was rounded out by the finishes of senior Shadrack Maritim (177th, 37:41.3), freshman Turner Javierelle (181, 39:33.6) and sophomore Mark Williams (182, 39:49.7).

The women were paced by senior Cynthia Anais, who placed 132nd with a time of 24:57.3. Senior Eunice Jones (145th place) was not far behind with a final time of 25:12.6. The remaining UMES pack was propelled by juniors Hana Jiraskova (186th, 27:00.2) and Emilie Ducados (194th, 28:23.2). The top-5 for the Hawks was rounded out by junior Kenesha Abrams (196th, 29:19.8).

GOLF
Although the golf team concluded the fall portion of its schedule last week, sophomore Gregory Raad was not finished making his presence known in 2011. Raad competed with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore team in the 10th annual Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Jones Cup, helping the school to a 19th place finish.

The tournament, which is not affiliated with the NCAA, is held to offer competition between the 20 schools that have a Professional Golf Management program. All schools are represented by five-person teams. For the second year in a row, Raad was selected to compete with the team as he shot an 87 each day to finish with a total score of 174 (+30).

As a team, UMES finished 19th with a team score of 657. The rest of the team consisted of UMES students and PGM majors Erik Carlson, who scored a total of 152, Devan Scott with 165, Zach Allen with 166 and Chad Dailey at 184.

VOLLEYBALL
The UMES volleyball team posted two victories this week with margins over Hampton University and Norfolk State University to finish its MEAC regular-season schedule with a 12-0 record. The wins pushed the Hawks' record to 21-6 as the women have been victorious in their past 16 matches. UMES also upped its home winning streak to 24, while Head Coach Don Metil moved just one win away from 200 in his career as a head coach.

The women opened the week with a 3-0 victory over Norfolk State (25-17, 25-20, 25-15) as freshman Saitaua Iosia ripped a game-high 21 kills and seniors Rebecca Prado and Zoe Bowens each had a game-high 10 digs. Junior Ndidi Ibe and freshman Jessie Vicic (38 assists) each had four blocks in the win.

Bowens kept up her hot streak in the Hawks' 3-1 win over Hampton (24-26, 25-18, 25-22, 25-16) when she ripped seven kills and posted a game-high 12 digs. The game was Senior Day for the team and was the final regular season home contest for Bowens and Prado. Iosia was one dig short of a double-double as she posted 12 kills and nine digs while sophomore Maline Vaitai led all players with 15 kills. Vicic chipped in with 123 assists.

Bowens' efforts this week led her to being distinguished as the women's recipient of the PRMC UMES Athlete of the Week award.

UPCOMING WEEK (Nov.14-Nov. 20)
The cross country teams and golf teams have both concluded their seasons but four other programs will be in action this week.

The volleyball team travels to Baltimore, Md., to compete in the MEAC Championship this weekend. The women will begin their postseason play with a bout against North Carolina Central University on Friday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m.

The men's basketball team looks to get into the win column when they make their first appearance at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center with a contest against American University tonight, Monday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. The Hawks will then hit the road for three games and will see action against two opponents, Tulane University and Rice University, this week. UMES faces Tulane on Friday, Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m. in New Orleans, La., before traveling to Houston, Texas to square off with Rice on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 4 p.m.

The women's basketball team opens up their season at home with a contest against Mount St. Mary's University on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. The women will then hit the road to face James Madison University on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. The bowling team hosts the UMES Hawk Classic in Millsboro, Del., in a three day tournament on Nov. 18-20. The action in the tournament will begin at 11 a.m. each day of the Classic.

For complete recaps, results and news of Hawk athletics, please visit www.umeshawks.com.