News
Eagles Drop Season Opener to Miami (Ohio)
August 26, 2011TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Ariel Richard had eight kills and Janka Schmitt added six kills, but Coppin State lost to Miami (Ohio) 25-19, 25-10, 25-19 in the Eagles season opener on Friday at the Quality Inn/ASICS Classic at Indiana State.
The loss spoiled the debut of first-year head coach Millicent Sylvan-Van Norden as the Red Hawks posted a team hitting percentage of .446 in winning their season opener.
The Eagles hit .421 in the opening set, but were limited to .000 in the second set and .074 in the third set.
Richard posted a .278 hitting percentage and also added two digs, while Schmitt hit .455 for the match and added two digs.
Vanity Massey, Tyler Phillips and Gabrielle Otero each had three digs to pace Coppin State, while Kristine Bindule and Torie Livingston each had nine assists.
In the first set, Miami (Ohio) broke a 9-9 tie with a 6-2 run that gave them a 15-11 lead. The Eagles received kills from Schmitt and Bindule and two Red Hawk attack errors to climb to within 16-15.
After a kill by Richard cut the Red Hawk lead to 17-16, Miami (Ohio) scored three straight points to take a 20-16 lead.
The Eagles closed to within 20-18, but the Red Hawks closed the first set on a 5-1 run.
Miami (Ohio) dominated the second set as it jumped out to a 12-2 lead and the Eagles were never able to trim the deficit to under nine points.
A kill from Schmitt and a Richard service ace tied the third set at 11-11, but the Red Hawks answered with a 3-0 run to regain the lead.
A kill by Richard and back-to-back service aces from Salena Weekly tied the score at 19-19.
Miami (Ohio) responded with a kill from Meg Riley and two Coppin State attack errors to take a 22-19 lead.
Back-to-back kills from Christina Menche and a Coppin State attack error ended the set and the match.
Coppin State will continue tournament play on Friday with a 5 p.m. match against Chicago State.
