Volleyball Opens Region Play With Sweep of Chesapeake
Riverhawks record 14 aces in 3-0 win
ARNOLD, Md. — The Anne Arundel Community College volleyball team opened Region 20 play with a 3-0 sweep of visiting Chesapeake College, 3-0, at Jenkins Gym Tuesday evening.
The Riverhawks controlled the match from start to finish, winning by set scores of 25–13, 25–19, 25–19. Anne Arundel's attack was balanced and efficient, finishing with 39 kills and a .258 hitting percentage while adding 14 service aces.
Emily Ezeiruaku sparked the offense with eight kills, six aces, and 10 digs for a team-high 14 points. Melissa Cunningham contributed nine kills and 12 assists, while Nala Dunacn added seven kills and six digs. Setter Bella Hadden directed the attack with 20 assists and four aces.
Nadia Suber chipped in with six kills and two aces, and Leah Tompkins provided a complement off the bench with five kills on seven swings. Defensively, libero Sophia Jackson anchored the back row with three digs and two aces.
The Riverhawks weathered an early surge from Chesapeake before catching fire behind Ezeiruaku and Cunningham in the first set. Anne Arundel turned an 8–2 deficit into a commanding lead with a 13–2 run that included kills from Dunacn and back-to-back service aces from Suber. The Riverhawks finished the frame with 13 kills and three aces to take it 25–13.
Anne Arundel carried that momentum into the second set, using six service aces to keep Chesapeake off balance. Ezeiruaku keyed the offense with multiple kills. After eight early ties, the Riverhawks pulled away late for a 25–19 win.
The decisive set saw AACC's depth shine, as Tompkins provided an efficient five kills off the bench and Hope Lewis chipped in with a pair of quick points. Chesapeake hung close, but the Riverhawks' 14 kills and five aces sealed the 25–19 clincher.
AACC improved to 2–1 overall and 1–0 in Region 20, while Chesapeake dropped to 0–2 (0–1 Region 20).
The Riverhawks return to action in a Region 20 tri match Saturday at Hagerstown, facing the host Hawks at 11 a.m. and Garrett College at 1 p.m.
