Oct. 17, 2011

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore athletics program saw all four of its fall teams compete in action this past week. The volleyball team upped its winning streak to nine game with two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victories while the women's cross country team placed fourth at the University of Delaware Invitational and the men's cross country team claimed fifth place honors. The action for UMES athletics was rounded out by the golf team, who placed sixth at the Holiday Inn Pittsburgh Airport Colonial Classic.

VOLLEYBALL

The UMES volleyball team has been virtually unstoppable over the past month as the squad has lost just three sets over the past four weeks en route to reeling off nine consecutive wins. The results have been derived from a combination of the Hawks' relentless attack and a defense that has allowed 20 points just five times in the past 30 sets.

The women began the week with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-11, 25-16) disposing of Hampton University. The Hawks received impressive play from junior Maline Vaitai (12 kills, seven digs), freshman Saitaua Iosia (10 kills, eight digs) and freshman Jessie Vicic (35 assists, two blocks). Senior Rebecca Prado notched her name in the UMES record books as she joined an elite group of those tallying 1,000 career kills in their career.

UMES would pick up its fifth victory in the MEAC and second victory of the week in its match over Norfolk State University on Sunday. The team won 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-14) with Iosia picking up a game-high 11 kills and Vaitai notching a game-high 11 digs. Sophomore Kaveinga Lea'Aetoa produced a good line of her own as she had 10 kills, four blocks and two digs to help pace the Hawks.

Vicic's efforts this week propelled her to being honored as the female recipient of the Peninsula Regional Medical Center University of Maryland Eastern Shore Athlete of the Week.

CROSS COUNTRY

The UMES cross country teams both enjoyed top-5 finishes at this past weekend's University of Delaware Invitational held at White Clay Park in Newark, Del. The women saw two runners collect top-10 finishes to aide the team to a fourth-place finish while the men saw a new runner finish atop the pack to guide them to a fifth-place finish.

Junior Zavior Brown was the first to finish for the Hawks in the 8k race as he finished in eighth-place (27:40.67). His time proved to be 25 places ahead of the closest UMES participant as senior Shadrack Maritim finished in 33rd-place (29:36.12) and sophomore Donohue Williams landed in 40th (31:21.19). The top-5 for the Hawks was rounded out by junior Codjo Gbedo (41st, 31:43.33) and freshman Mark Williams (43rd, 32:41.75).

Brown's efforts this week propelled him to being honored as the male recipient of the Peninsula Regional Medical Center University of Maryland Eastern Shore Athlete of the Week.

The women were led by the efforts of seniors Cynthia Anais (24:20.83) and Eunice Jones (24:21.47), who placed in sixth and seventh, respectively. Sophomore Hana Jiraskova finished in 24th place (25:50.26) while junior Jennell Wade ended up in 37th (26:53.38). Junior Emilie Ducados was the fifth place finisher for the Hawks as she placed 49th with a time of 27:48.40. The women's finish in the 6k race was the highest of any MEAC team.

GOLF

The UMES golf team competed for the second time this fall as the men posted a sixth-place finish at the Holiday Inn Pittsburgh Airport Colonial Classic in Hopewell Township, Pa. The squad was led by sophomores Michael Veverka and Gregory Raad, who both placed 23rd with scores of 163. Their final tallies proved to be just 19 strokes over par. Veverka led the squad with a score of 79 on the first day before Raad struck back with a 78 on the second day.

Sophomore Christopher Toney shot a 176 for 35th place while freshman Michael Ferguson (177) finished the tournament in 36th. Freshman Richard Fleming concluded action for UMES as he finished in 37th with a score of 233.

UPCOMING WEEK (Oct. 17-Oct. 24)

There is plenty of action for UMES athletics this week as the UMES volleyball team hits the road for its fifth consecutive road match when they travel to Delaware St. on Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. before returning home to host Howard University on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. The golf team is slated to participate in the 2011 Donald Ross Intercollegiate in Morganton, N.C., on Monday, Oct. 17 and Tuesday, Oct. 18.

The cross country teams are idle for the upcoming week before competing in the MEAC Championships on Saturday, Oct. 29.

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