DOVER, Del. (Nov. 5, 2021)-The Morgan State volleyball team traveled North looking to spoil Delaware State's Senior Night and hand the Hornets their lone home loss of the 2021 campaign. Unfortunately, the Hornets had other plans, as they would go on to earn a 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-15) Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) victory on Friday evening at Memorial Hall.
 
The Hornets improved to 22-3 overall, 10-2 in the MEAC and concluded their home slate with a perfect 13-0 record.
 
Morgan State (5-21, 3-9 MEAC) was led by Gabriela Hiciano, who finished with a match-high 11 kills, while adding five digs, two assisted blocks, an assist and a service ace. Makila Billingsley finished with eight kills and Mackenzie Jefferson recorded a match-best 26 assists and a match-high nine digs, falling one dig shy of a double-double.
 
Delaware State jumped out to a 9-4 advantage in the opening set and led 20-12, following a kill by Sydney Lewis. The Hornets' lead increased to 24-15, but the Lady Bears would make the hosts earn the final point. Morgan State would score the next four points, capped off by an assisted block by Hiciano and Justyus Jackson to pull the guests within, 24-19. The Hornets ended the set with a kill from Alonfra Maldonado for the 25-19 victory. The Hornets finished the set totaling a set-high 18 kills and hit .366. Morgan State finished with 11 kills and hit .167, both set highs.
 
The two traded the first 12 points to start Set 2, before the Hornets went on a 5-1 run to take an 11-7 advantage. Morgan State scored the next three points to pull within 11-10, and Delaware State countered with four straight to take a 15-10 lead. Twice Morgan State got as close as three points with the last coming at 17-14, before the Hornets closed out on an 8-3 spurt to claim a 25-17 victory.
 
Delaware State scored six straight after trailing 2-0 to start Set 3, then used an 8-0 run to break open the set and take a commanding 17-7 lead. The hosts, who finished the contest hitting a set-high .417 with 12 kills, closed out the set and match with a service ace by Jelena Dukic for the 25-15 victory.
 
The Hornets were led by Maldonado's 10 kills, while Mayah Ngundam finished with nine and Karen Cordero added eight kills and a match-high nine digs. Malgorzata Andersohn recorded 22 assists and Dukic added 15.
 
Delaware State finished the match hitting a team-high .366 on 44 kills, while the Lady Bears totaled 29 kills and hit .118 as a team. The hosts also held an 8.0-4.0 advantage in blocks. Lewis finished with a match-high five assisted blocks and Maldonado had four assisted blocks to lead the Hornets. Morgan State was led by Jackson, who recorded four blocks, including a solo block. Hiciano added two assisted blocks.
 
Morgan State will close out its 2021 home schedule on Sunday, Nov. 7 when it plays host to Maryland Eastern Shore. First serve is at 1 p.m. at Hill Field House. The contest will be Senior Day for two Lady Bears, Kendal Hoges and Jasmin Perry, who will be playing in their final home match.
 
Maryland Eastern Shore (11-12, 6-6 MEAC) won the first meeting against Morgan State, 3-1 (25-19, 25-27, 25-16, 25-22) in Princess Anne, Md. (10/17). The Hawks are coming off a 3-1 (26-24, 17-25, 10-25, 25-9) loss at home to Coppin State on Friday.