DOVER, Del. (Oct. 10, 2014)-Making her first start at Morgan State as a setter, Samantha Prescott notched a career-high 41 assists to lead Morgan State to a 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-16) sweep of Delaware State in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) North Division match on Sunday afternoon at Memorial Hall. 

Prescott, who took over the setting duties for an injured Carmen Fernandez at the start of the second set in Friday's win over Norfolk State, also added five digs and tallied a .750 hitting percentage after recording three kills on four attempts.

"Today was a good win for us, especially knowing that we lost our setter after the first set against Norfolk State and unfortunately I had to bench another starter," said Morgan State head coach Ramona Riley-Bozier. "Samantha [Prescott] knew back in the summer she may have to step in there and assume the setter's role. That's what she did and did a good job."  

Arianna Hayden tallied a match-high 17 kills, while Shayna Hunt-Colon set a career- and match-high 12 digs for the Lady Bears, who have won six straight against Delaware State. Evely Macedo fell shy of a double-double with 12 kills and nine digs and Haley McClure had a career day, recording a career-high six of Morgan State's nine service aces.

Morgan State (10-7, 3-1 MEAC), who earned its second consecutive victory, has now won eight of its last 10 contests. Delaware State (0-13, 0-4 MEAC), remained winless with the loss and has now lost 19 straight matches, dating back to last season.

The Lady Bears had to overcome a little adversity on Sunday, as not only were they without their starting setter, but on top of that, another starter in Zuri Smith was benched at the start of the match until the final point of the second set. 

"Prior to the start of the match, I read to the team something I found on adversity, which was fitting with the situation that we were faced with," said Riley-Bozier. "The ladies stayed calm and relaxed regardless of the score, which is what I have asked them to work on, keeping their composure, Character Strong.

"Character Strong means others have to step up. Shayna Hunt-Colon, did a good job playing defense leading with 12 digs, Haley [McClure] had six service aces and Ari [Arianna Hayden], who hasn't played as well against conference schools, came up big with 17 kills."   

Delaware State was led by Jasmine Jackson, who finished with eight kills, while Ayanna Lee collected a team-high 10 digs. Taylor Marshall and Natalia Mendieta split the duties at setter, recording 12 and 10 assists, respectively.

The Lady Bears finished the match with 47 kills for a hitting percentage of .271, 45 assists and 45 digs. Delaware State notched 27 kills, .188 hitting percentage, 26 assists and 35 digs.

The Hornets did hold a 7.0-5.0 advantage in blocks over Morgan State. Jackson led the team with three blocks, while Ariana Stevens and Janessa Helu had two each. 

Dinah Jones had a team-high three blocks for Morgan State to go with her eight kills. Hayden finished with two blocks to tie Jones for the team lead with 37.

"I am happy for these ladies that this time of the year we are 3-1," said Riley-Bozier. "A lot of volleyball is left and we are focusing on working to be 4-1 this week."  

Morgan State returns to the court on Friday, Oct. 10, when it travels to Princess Anne, Md. to take on the Lady Hawks of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). First serve is at 6 p.m. at the Hytche Athletic Center. It will be the Lady Hawks' Dig Pink match for breast cancer awareness. 

UMES (8-10, 1-2 MEAC), which is in the midst of a three-match losing skid, is coming off a 3-2 loss to visiting Coppin State on Sunday.