WILBERFORCE, OH | The Morehouse Maroon Tigers traveled to Ohio to open their conference season. Despite a valliant effort, the Maroon Tigers return to Atlanta with two losses on the road trip.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28
The Morehouse Maroon Tigers fought hard but fell in straight sets to the Central State Marauders in Friday night's SIAC matchup at Beacom/Lewis Gym. The Tigers, still seeking their first win of the season, showed flashes of resilience but ultimately succumbed to a 3-0 (6-25, 20-25, 21-25) defeat.
A Tough Start Morehouse had difficulty getting into a rhythm in the opening set, managing only one kill while committing six errors. Central State capitalized with strong serving and consistent attacking, quickly putting the set out of reach for the Tigers. The Marauders stormed to a commanding 25-6 win, putting Morehouse on the back foot early.
Fighting Back in the Second Set The Maroon Tigers regrouped in the second set, improving their offensive execution. Led by Daniel Allen (7 kills, .200 hitting percentage), Morehouse put up a stronger fight, cutting down on attacking errors and keeping pace with the Marauders for much of the frame. However, Central State's aggressive net play and timely kills allowed them to pull away late, securing the set 25-20.
A Nailbiter in the Third The third set saw Morehouse's best effort of the night, as the Tigers fought to keep their chances alive. The set featured 12 ties and six lead changes, with Morehouse showing grit on defense. Myles Tucker led the backline with 11 digs, while setter Jamar Shackleford Jr. provided 13 assists. Despite their efforts, a late push by the Marauders sealed the match with a 25-21 win.
Key Takeaways
- Offensive Struggles: Morehouse finished with a negative hitting percentage (-0.058) due to 17 attack errors.
- Defensive Effort: Tucker's 11 digs and the team's 24 total digs showed signs of defensive improvement.
- Daniel Allen's Performance: Allen led the team with 7 kills and a .200 hitting percentage, proving to be Morehouse's most effective attacker.
SATURDAY, MARCH 1
The Morehouse Maroon Tigers continued their search for their first win of the season but fell short against the Central State Marauders in a straight-set loss (17-25, 17-25, 21-25) at Beacom/Lewis Gym on Saturday morning.
The Maroon Tigers (0-4, 0-2 SIAC) showed resilience throughout the match but struggled to generate enough offensive momentum to counter Central State's (3-9, 2-0 SIAC) well-balanced attack. Despite keeping the first two sets close, Morehouse was unable to overcome costly errors and a strong defensive presence from the Marauders.
Morehouse's Bright Spots Senior setter Jamar Shackleford Jr. led the team with 19 assists and added seven digs, working tirelessly to set up the Maroon Tigers' attack. Daniel Allen and Braylon Dyson each recorded six kills to pace Morehouse's offense, while libero Myles Tucker showcased his defensive prowess with a team-high 10 digs.
Michael Bloodworth contributed two service aces, providing a late spark in the first set, while Aidan Pullian added a key block to help Morehouse stay competitive in the second frame.
Tough Battle at the Net While Morehouse finished with 23 kills, their .077 hitting percentage reflected the struggles they faced against a disciplined Central State defense. Attack errors plagued the Maroon Tigers, particularly in the second set, where they managed just six kills on 29 attempts.
The third set saw Morehouse put together its strongest performance of the match, rallying to score 21 points and keeping the contest close. However, the Marauders' offense, led by Toulmin Williams IV and Jaedyn Harris, proved too much to handle as they sealed the win with a late push.
Morehouse will return to action seeking redemption in their next SIAC showdown as they travel to Fort Valley State on Wednesday.
