FAMU volleyball repeats as runner-up in MEAC tourney

Maryland Eastern Shore defeated FAMU, 3-2, to win the 2012 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) volleyball championship Sunday afternoon at the Physical Education Complex on the campus of Coppin State University. The win marked the second consecutive MEAC volleyball crown for the Lady Hawks.

FAMU Coach Tony Trifonov attributed the loss to poor execution on defense.

“We didn't stop their big hitters,” Trifonov said. “They hit over .300 on us, which is a good percentage for an outside hitter. We weren't successful in blocking them at tall in the first two games. Our blockers were too passive, when we needed to be more aggressive. We were going straight up instead of penetrating the net, giving up way too many points.”

The Lady Rattlers have completed back-to-back runners-up finishes in the MEAC championship. They will close out their season Wednesday with Senior Day. It is sure to be emotional as Maria Ceccarelli, Pamela Barrera and Karol Marquez play their last games in the orange and green.

Ceccarelli didn't wait to express her gratitude for her time at FAMU.

“I am proud. I am proud to be a Rattler and proud to have had the opportunity to represent FAMU,” she said with tears. “And it has been a fine journey here at FAMU. Sorry we didn't get the results we wanted today, but we did our best.”

2012 All-Tournament Team

Maria Ceccarelli, FAMU

Saitaua Ioisa, Maryland Eastern Shore

Victoria Williams, Maryland Eastern Shore

Vendula Strakova, Hampton

Yeshia Arcia, FAMU

Desire Waller, South Carolina State