Columbia, MD - The Dragons got a heroic effort from Morgan Conner (Sandy Spring, MD/Sherwood), but it was not enough to stave off Southern Maryland in three close sets. 

After falling behind early, Howard went on a big 8-0 run wth Conner picking up three kills and two aces to give the Dragons a 17-15 lead. The Hawks clawed back ahead and finished on a 4-0 run to win the set 25-22.

A similar story in the second set as the Dragons jumped ahead 22-20 on another Conner ace, but this time it was the Hawks winning five straight to take the second set 25-22.

The Dragons built up an even bigger lead in the first set as a Taylor Hall (Annapolis, MD/Howard) ace and an Ashlee Forde (Barbados/Foundation) kill put Howard ahead 14-5. However the Dragons were unable to hold he late lead for a third straight set as Southern Maryland came back to lead 23-22. Brenna Siperko (Ellicott City, MD/Mt. Hebron) had a massive block and a kill to see the set tied at 24-24, but the Hawks won the next two points to close out the match.

Conner finished with 19 kills, 13 digs, and five aces in a dominating performance. Siperko closed with six kills and three blocks while Jessica Hendricks (Woodbine, MD/Covenant Life) added five kills and two blocks.

Howard will hit the road for a long trip to North Carolina as they participate in a tri-match at Lenoir CC that will also include USC Lancaster.