The University of Maryland Eastern Shore women’s volleyball team opened the 2026 season with a split at the Alabama A&M Tournament in Huntsville, Alabama, on Aug. 28. The Hawks lost to host Alabama A&M in three sets before defeating Mississippi Valley State in three sets to enter the tournament with a 1-1 record.
Alabama A&M Wins Extended Second Set
Alabama A&M defeated the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 3-0, by set scores of 25-15, 35-33 and 25-20. The second set included 15 ties and seven lead changes, with the Hawks holding late advantages at 28-27, 30-29 and 32-31 before Alabama A&M secured the 35-33 victory.
Jayda Hutchins led the Hawks against Alabama A&M with nine kills, a .412 hitting percentage, 17 assists and six total blocks. Dynasty Andrews added seven kills while hitting .286 and recorded five blocks, while Jaslyn Dawkins also finished with seven kills.
Arianna Warner Torres led the University of Maryland Eastern Shore with 12 digs against Alabama A&M. Karielys Melendez followed with nine digs.
Hawks Sweep Mississippi Valley State
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore responded with a 3-0 victory over Mississippi Valley State, winning 25-13, 25-20 and 25-14. The Hawks hit .345 and recorded 43 kills and 10 service aces in the three-set victory.
The Hawks used a 10-0 run in the opening set to pull away for a 25-13 win. Mississippi Valley State cut the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s lead to 22-20 in the second set before the Hawks scored the final three points, and the Hawks then built an 11-4 lead in the third set before closing out the sweep.
Karielys Melendez led the offense with 13 kills, a .455 hitting percentage, seven digs and two aces. Rayah Howell added eight kills, while Jayda Hutchins recorded 23 assists, five aces, five digs and four kills.
Dynasty Andrews contributed four kills without an attack error and recorded a team-high five total blocks against Mississippi Valley State. The victory gave the Hawks a 1-1 record after the tournament’s opening day.
Next Match
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is scheduled to face Florida A&M University at noon Saturday, Aug. 29, in Huntsville, Alabama. The match is part of the Alabama A&M Tournament.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore women’s volleyball team showed contrasting results on the tournament’s opening day. Alabama A&M won a closely contested second set, while the Hawks used a .345 hitting percentage and 10 service aces to sweep Mississippi Valley State.
Karielys Melendez, Jayda Hutchins and Dynasty Andrews led the statistical effort in the victory. The Hawks enter their scheduled match against Florida A&M University with a 1-1 record.
Source: Original report
