Jeniqua Moran totaled 10 kills and three aces in the win over St. Francis.
Boxscores
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Sept. 8, 2006)-Morgan State overcame a slow start and 13 service errors within the first two games, to earn a 3-0 (30-20, 30-14, 30-18) victory over host St. Francis in the opener of the St. Francis Tournament at Genovesi Center.
Jeniqua Moran recorded a match-high 10 kills and Ivanti Bush and Camille Coleman added nine and eight kills, respectively for the Lady Bears, which won their third consecutive match. Morgan State improved to 3-3 on the season and has already matched its win total against non-MEAC opponents from a year ago.
Morgan State struggled to get into a rhythm in the first game, but never trailed by more than two points. The Lady Bears broke a 7-7 tie with a mini four-point run to take an 11-7 lead. Morgan finally gained control of the game with another 4-0 spurt with Coleman recording three straight kills in the middle of the Terriers’ defense, giving the Lady Bears a 26-17 advantage.
In the second game, the Lady Bears used six aces and runs of 7-0 and 9-0 to put away the hosts, 30-14. Morgan’s last run came off of the serve of Moran. With the Lady Bears leading 15-12, they scored eight points in part of a 9-0 run, while Moran was serving to take a 24-12 lead. Morgan State limited St. Francis to just one kill in 20 attempts in the second game for a -.450 hitting percentage.
Morgan State closed out the match by using a 12-4 run to earn the Game 3 victory. The Lady Bears, which went the entire game without committing a service error, tallied 17 kills in the game for a .424 hitting percentage.
As a team the Lady Bears finished the match with a season-high 11 aces and out blocked St. Francis, 4-0, with Vashaye Ellegood and Mandisa Richardson leading the way with three blocks apiece. Nicole Williams recorded a match-high 21 assists in two games, while Jentri Fullove took over in the third game and finished with 15 assists. Ashley Preston recorded 16 digs.
The Terriers (0-3) were led by Jadelyn Castillo (seven kills, eight digs) and Erin O’Shaughnessy (six kills).
The Lady Bears return to action on Saturday, Sept. 9, with a 9 a.m. match against Bucknell, which was a 3-0 winner over Niagara. Morgan then concludes the tournament with a noon match against Niagara.
