FAMU Advances to Title game Over Maryland Eastern Shore

HOWARD vs. FAMU -- Championship Game - SUNDAY NOON, (EST)
TV: ESPNU

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — Maryland Eastern Shore’s hopes for a third MEAC Championship were dashed in the MEAC Semifinals in straight sets (17-25, 18-25, 22-25). For the second straight year it was Florida A&M who delivered the knockout punch, as the Rattlers advance to their first title game since 2012.

The Hawks conclude the season with a record of 18-13 while the Rattlers improve to 17-11.

MEAC Co-Rookie of the Year Nicole Abreu narrowly missed a double-double with ten kills and nine digs while registering a .333 hitting percentage. Libero Valentina Carrasco delivered a match high 15 digs while setter Elena Dimitrova assisted on 22 of the Rattlers’ 33 kills, while supplying six kills on nine attempts with only one error. Dei’Ja Martin blocked six Hawk attempts, one of them solo.

For the Hawks, sophomore Rachel Kayongo put forth a match high 12 kills, adding two digs and a block assist. Freshman setter Ivana Blazevic earned 24 assists and sophomore libero Koya Sowells tallied eight digs.

In what is likely to be her final match as a Hawk, senior Mere Serea added four kills on 11 attempts and finished with a team high three block participations.

Florida A&M will challenge Howard in the 2016 MEAC Volleyball Championship match. The Rattlers are chasing their MEAC best 14th title while Howard is hoping to repeat as conference champions. Match time is set for noon inside the William P. Hytche Athletic Center on Maryland Eastern Shore’s campus.

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