BALTIMORE, Md. (Nov. 5, 2025)--In a heated match-up that saw the No. 3 Morgan State Bears and No. 4 ranked Delaware State Hornets volleyball teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) go head-to-head on Wednesday, the Bears would shine on Senior Night, earning a 3-2 (25-22, 23-25, 21-25, 25-15, 17-15) victory in the home finale at Hill Field House.
 
With the win, the Bears (11-11, 8-4 MEAC) swept the season series against the Hornets and closed out their home slate with an 8-3 record. Delaware State dropped to 10-16, 6-6 in the MEAC.
 
On a night where Morgan State honored its four seniors prior to the match, it would be its seniors to lead the way. Fellow seniors Daniela Ferreira (match-high 19 kills and 11 digs) and Hanna Nemeth (13 kills and 11 digs) each posted double-doubles for the Bears to lead the offensive charge, while seniors Hannah Chappelle (five digs) and Mikaela Esparza (six digs, an assist and a service ace), bolstered the defense.
 
Freshman Isabelle Brown also had a double-double, finishing with a match-high 37 assists and 10 digs to go with a service ace and an attack percentage of .400 with four kills. Junior Jada Williams tallied six blocks, including five solos, five kills and four digs, while sophomore Aubrey Wilson recorded eight kills and three blocks.
 
An emotion-filled night for every supporter of the Morgan volleyball program, the Bears delivered an inspired, all-around performance to claw out the victory. Esparza and Ferreira led the Bears with timely kills and digs that helped them earn their eighth conference victory of the season.
 
Both teams started off quick in the first set, trading kills and sensational blocks, with neither team holding a lead for long. As the set continued, both teams were knotted at 21 until the Bears seized control, scoring four straight points to give them the set.
 
After a disappointing finish to the first set, Delaware State started the second set poised to even the match score. The Hornets jumped out to a 9-4 lead thanks to senior outside hitter Gerren Tomlin (11 kills, 12 digs) and Libero Landyn Langham (11 digs, five service aces). The Bears battled back, stringing together kills and digs to cut the deficit to just one. The Bears' surge wouldn't be enough, as Delaware State would steal the second set on the road.
 
With the match score tied at one apiece, Delaware State dominated the third, never trailing at any point in the set. Morgan would try to mount a comeback, but the Hornet lead was too great, as the Bears fell 25-21.
 
Down 2-1, the Bears entered the fourth set with only one thing on their mind: a senior night victory. Morgan came out with new life and energy, and it showed through its play. The Bears cruised to a 25-15 set victory, setting the stage for what would be their most intense fifth set of the season.
 
Set 5 began, and both squads went blow for blow. Morgan jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but the Hornets answered with four straight points to even the score. The tension was palpable as Morgan hopefuls felt the gravity of each moment. As the end of the contest drew closer, both teams were tied at 15, when the Bears reclaimed the lead on a block by Williams. Esparza, playing for the last time in Hill Field House, then sealed the deal with an ace to give the Bears the much-deserved victory.
 
"For all of them to step up today was amazing," said Morgan State head coach Xiomara Ortiz on the play of her seniors. "They were able to contribute. It's an amazing way for them to go out."
 
Morgan State returns to the court on Sunday, Nov. 9, when they travel to Princess Anne, Md. to take on Maryland Eastern Shore. First serve is at 1 p.m. from Hytche Athletic Center.
 
 
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.