HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University volleyball team made quick work of Morgan State on Sunday afternoon in Holland Hall, taking a 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-18) to remain unbeaten in conference play.

The Lady Pirates (8-7, 2-0 MEAC) have won three straight matches.

"We're very excited for today's win over Morgan State," first-year head coach Karen Weatherington said. "We knew this was a critical opportunity to defend our home court, and we met that goal."

Junior rightside Vendula Strakova (Brno, Czech Republic) again led the way, tallying 23 kills and hitting .618 for the match, thanks to just two errors in 34 total attacks. Junior middle blocker Marija Kocevska (SkopjeKarpos, Madedonia) had six kills and a team-high three service aces.

Sophomore outside hitter Allysa Medina (Menifee, Calif.) added seven kills, while junior outside hitter Krista Kraskura (Kuldiga, Latvia) added six kills and a team-high eight digs.

Senior setter Bibiany Fonseca (Uberlandia, Brazil) had 37 assists, eclipsing 1,500 for her career at Hampton. She was honored during the match for the milestone.

"I credit the entire team on playing disciplined volleyball, with aggressive serving and attacking," Weatherington said. "We knew Morgan State had just come off a tough battle with Coppin State (on Friday), so a strong start and low-error volleyball were important."

The Lady Pirates wasted no time setting the tone in the first set, taking a 10-2 lead before the Lady Bears closed the gap to 12-6. Morgan State later cut the lead to 17-11, but the Lady Pirates went on a 6-1 run to take a 23-12 after a kill from Strakova.

Kraskura ended the set with a kill to give the Lady Pirates a 1-0 lead.

After hitting .385 in the first set, the Lady Pirates hit .542 (14 kills, one error in 24 attacks) in the second set, and the Lady Pirates led 6-3 after a kill from Kocevska. A 5-2 Hampton run grew the lead to 11-5 after Kocevska recorded three straight aces.

Morgan State cut the lead to 14-8, but a 7-2 Hampton run gave the Lady Pirates a 21-10 lead. The Lady Bears scored five of the next seven points to cut the lead to 23-15, but a Kraskura kill and a block from Strakova and junior outside hitter Sonja Maksimovic (Belgrade, Serbia) gave Hampton a 2-0 match lead.

The momentum rolled into the third set, as Hampton led 12-2 after a kill from Kocevska. The Lady Bears later scored four straight points to cut the Lady Pirates' lead to 16-10, but Hampton held on for the 25-18 win and the straight-set victory.

This was Hampton's third straight-set win of the season.

Hampton hit a season-best .437 (44 kills, six errors in 87 total attacks) for the match and had 10 service aces. Morgan State (5-10, 0-2 MEAC) hit just .134 (27 kills, 16 errors in 82 attacks) for the match and went without an ace.

Three Lady Bears had a team-high six kills.

"One of our biggest assets as a team is the Pirate Nation," Weatherington said. "The fans bring a great energy to the team and we are grateful for the support. (HU president Dr. William R.) Harvey and his wife were in the stands, as well as several of our top administrators, and parents attending Parents Weekend cheering us on.

"This is a special team and we look to do big things."

The Lady Pirates will return to action on Wednesday, when they close out non-conference play at Virginia Commonwealth at 7 p.m. For more information on Hampton University volleyball, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.