Kierra Outlin led Morgan State with a team-high 11 kills, eight digs, two service aces and two blocks in Sunday's win at Coppin State.
Morgan State 3, Coppin State 2
Bear Shots
BALTIMORE, Md. (Sept. 25, 2011)-The Morgan State volleyball team overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat crosstown rival Coppin State, 3-2 (20-25, 18-25, 25-16, 25-17, 15-8) on Sunday evening in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) opener for both teams at the Physical Education Complex.
The victory ended a season-long 13-match losing skid for Morgan State and was a nice rebound for the Lady Bears, who five days earlier dropped a tough five-set loss at Navy.
Morgan's victory over Coppin State was its 46th out of the last 47 meetings with the Eagles. Last season Coppin ended a 45-match losing streak to Morgan with a 3-1 win on Halloween night at Hill Field House.
“Last year's loss against Coppin was a tough,” said senior captain Erin Cox. “We should have played better and won but we didn't. So going into our first conference game and it being against Coppin, we had it set in our minds that we had to pull it through and win.”
Kierra Outlne tallied a team-high 11 kills, eight digs, two service aces and two blocks to lead the Lady Bears (3-13, 1-0 MEAC). Cox finished with a team-high 15 digs, while Jourdan Lemons and Ngebui (Natalie) Chafeh each added 11 and 10 digs, respectively.
“I didn't play as well the first two sets like I did at Navy, but after our talk at halftime, I decided to put all that besides me and come out and play the way I needed to,” said Outlin, who has recorded double digit kills in the last three matches, including a season-high 15 last Tuesday at Navy. “The first two sets [against Coppin] we came out shy and timid. We went into the locker room and came out and picked it up in the third set. After we got that first win, we knew from there we could win it.”
Coppin State (3-13, 0-1 MEAC) was led by Ariel Richard, who finished with a match-high 14 kills and 17 digs to record a double-double. Kandace Otero tallied a match-high 20 digs and Kristine Bindule notched 32 assists
“We haven't been that successful in winning this preseason, but each game we've improved,” said Cox. “We still have a lot of work to do, but I believe with our talent and drive that it will only continue to get better.”
The Lady Bears return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 27 when they travel to Washington, D.C. to take on American at 7 p.m. at Bender Arena. It will be the last non-conference match of the season for Morgan State.
