Morgan State University Athletics

DOVER, Del. (Nov. 6, 2027)--The Morgan State volleyball team went into Delaware State's Hornets' Nest and did what they've pretty much been accustomed to this season in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play, and that's win on the road, following a 3-1 (25-14, 20-25, 27-25, 25-18) victory over the host Hornets.
 
The Bears went into Memorial Hall on Friday night for a crucial MEAC contest and was ready to battle a Delaware State team that had won five straight and was sitting in sole possession of second in the league standings.
 
With the win, Morgan State (9-15, 8-4 MEAC), which swept the season series from Delaware State (17-9, 8-4 MEAC), now holds the tiebreaker over the Hornets, and moves into a tie for second place in the standings with both Delaware State and Howard (9-15, 8-4 MEAC), all with 8-4 MEAC records.
 
"Tonight was a big win for us, especially with only two matches left and seeding coming up soon," said Isabelle Brown, who recorded her seventh double-double of the season, finishing with 30 assists and 11 digs to go with four service aces, two solo blocks and hitting .444 with four kills. "We knew what was on the line, and I'm proud of how we came together and competed."
 
Morgan State's victory over Delaware State provided a double sting to the Hornets. Not only did Delaware State drop from sole possession of second place but coupled with defending champion Coppin State's win at Maryland Eastern Shore the night before on Thursday, Delaware State was also eliminated from a possible share of the regular season title, which will now go to Coppin State outright.
 
"It was a big win for us. We knew what was at stake, and being able to get the win on their home floor and move into second means a lot," said Jada Williams. "We're excited, but we know we still have work to do."
 
Of the Bears' eight total MEAC wins, this was their sixth on the road, as they closed out the road portion of the MEAC slate going 6-1 away from Hill Field House.
 
"I think it comes down to the trust we have in each other, said Brown regarding Morgan recording the majority of its wins on the road. "On the road, we have to create our own energy and stay together. Those wins have shown what we're capable of when we play together with confidence."
 
Williams echoed similar sentiments on Morgan State success on the road, especially against the league's top tier programs.
 
"Being able to take down Coppin, Howard and now Delaware State against, all top seeds, is a real testimony to our grit and the hard work we've been putting in all season," said Williams. "I think it shows the kind of team we are and what we're capable of when we stay together and trust each other.
 
As for being able to ride this momentum and close out the final two regular season matches at home, Williams added, "We just have to bring that same energy and confidence home. We can't get too comfortable. We have to stay locked in, continue to trust each other, and take care of business these last two matches."
 
Morgan State finished the match with 46 kills, recording double digits kills in all but one set, including a set-best 17 kills for a set-high .515 hitting percentage in the fourth and final to close out the Hornets with a 25-18 win. Morgan's lone set under double digit kills came in Set 1, where the Bears recorded just six kills and hit .278. However, they took advantage of 11 attack errors by Delaware State and collected four service aces with Brown recording three of them to take the opening set 25-14.
 
Michaela Panekova accounted for Morgan State's second double-double of the night, as she finished with a team-high 13 digs and had 10 kills. She also added two solo blocks and two assists. Jada Willimas recorded 10 kills, three digs, two aces, two assists and a block, while Bailey Swinton tallied 11 digs and two assists.
 
Hanna Nemeth totaled a team-high 11 kills, seven digs, two aces and a block. Playing in just her eighth match of the season since finally returning to the team after being granted her fifth year, Nemeth has notched 102 kills this season, giving her 997 combined kills for her collegiate career, three shy of reaching the 1,000-kills plateau. Ironically, Nemeth's first match this season came in a five-set home win against Delaware State (10/9) where she totaled 10 kills, eight digs and two aces in her first match back.
 
Delaware State was paced by Aaliyah Mitchell's match-high 18 kills. Courtney Nix had a match-high 20 digs and Paige Ahakuelo finished with 18 assists.
 
Tonight's victory was the 50th for Morgan State over Delaware State in the series' 77 meetings. The win also had special meaning for Kira DeVrieze, who spent last season playing for Delaware State. In her first return to Dover, Del. as an opponent, she set a career-high 10 digs against her old school. Friday night's performance was a full circle moment of sorts, as last year as a Hornet, she recorded a then career-high nine digs against Morgan State.
 
"It felt great to be able to come back, contribute to the team, and get the win while setting a new career high. I'm just really grateful for the opportunity," said DeVrieze. "None of it would be possible without my teammates and coaches who have supported me throughout this process."
 
"Coach Zee and Henry have been especially encouraging, and I can't thank them enough for believing in me and helping me along the way. I'm just blessed to be part of this team and excited to keep building on this momentum."
 
Morgan State will now turn its attention to intra state rival the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) on Sunday, Nov. 8 at Hill Field House. The Hawks (2-21, 1-11 MEAC), who are coming off a 3-0 loss at home to Coppin State on Thursday, enter the contes having lost 11 consecutive matches.  
 
"Against UMES we have go in with the same mindset we did the first time, win the serve and pass game, said Brown. "When we pass well and take teams out of system, we are capable of a lot of things."
 
Sunday's contest will be Senior Day for Morgan State. The Bears will honor their four seniors: Michaela Panekova, Hanna Nemeth, Tyrah Weems and Jada Williams prior to the match. First serve between Morgan State and UMES is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will air live on the MEAC Network.
 
 
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 baccalaureate, master's degree, doctorate and certificate programs. 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.