DOVER, Del. - Sophomore Edarkis Branch (Los Angeles, Calif.) led the Delaware State University volleyball team with nine kills, eight digs and three block assists with a .364 attack percentage Tuesday evening at Memorial Hall, as the Hornets opened the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference season with a 0-3 (20-25, 19-25, 20-25) loss to Route 13 rival University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
The reigning MEAC Champion Hawks (15-3, 1-0 MEAC) outhit DSU .355 to .115 on the night and recorded10 blocks to just three for the Hornets (3-9, 0-1 MEAC).
In the first set, DSU held a 12-11 lead before UMES went off on a six-point run. The Hornets would climb back within two at 17-19, but that is as close as they would get in the set as the Hawks closed out the 25-20 game.
UMES used another rally in the second set to shift the momentum their way and eventually win, 25-19. Two consecutive kills from Branch gave the Hornets the 9-6 advantage and forced the Hawks to take a timeout. Another Branch kill put Del State up at 13-10 before UMES went on a 9-1 run to lead, 19-14.
Junior Jessica Croucher (Brisbane, Australia) frustrated the Hawks to open the third set as she gave the Hornets a 5-0 lead on four service aces. UMES would respond and eventually take a 10-8 lead. The two teams then exchanged points before UMES went ahead and stayed ahead at 21-20. DSU finished the set and match with six straight attack errors.
Senior Bel Fakaosi (Salt Lake City, Utah) led Delaware State with 24 assists while Croucher contributed nine kills and six digs.
DSU continues MEAC play as they travel to Washington, D.C. Friday to take on the Howard Bison at 7 p.m.
---DSU WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL---
