HAMPTON, Va. – Thanks to a record-setting performance from senior rightside Vendula Strakova – and an epic third-set comeback – the Hampton University volleyball team beat Coppin State 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-23) Friday evening in Holland Hall.

"I am so proud of this team," head coach Karen Weatherington said. "Tonight, we had to fight back from some tough situations. Coppin State is a fiery team and Coach Preston instills a fight in them that can put you on your heels. We showed tremendous resolve in critical moments and that helped us prevail."
 
In tallying a match-high 22 kills, Strakova (Brno, Czech Republic) became the program's all-time leader in career kills, surpassing Chavanca Hoskins' mark of 1,472. After Friday, Strakova has 1,490 career kills at Hampton.
 
Strakova also racked up 14 digs, for her 13th double-double of the season, and a team-high six aces.

"I am so proud of Vendy's accomplishment," Weatherington said. "It's amazing that she was able to do that in three seasons. Vendy never focuses on stats or records; she is humbled by any recognition because she plays for the team. It's hard to convey how talented she is sometimes, but becoming HU's kill leader in three season speaks volumes."
 
Senior outside hitter Sonja Maksimovic (Belgrade, Serbia) recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 17 kills and a team-high 16 digs. She also hit a match-best .424.
 
Senior outside hitter Krista Kraskura (Kuldiga, Latvia) added 12 digs.
 
Senior setter Kitija Megne (Kuldiga, Latvia) racked up 44 assists, while senior middle blocker Marija Kocevska (Skopje, Macedonia) had six blocks and junior libero Allysa Medina (Menifee, Calif.) had four aces.
 
The Lady Pirates (12-9, 7-0 MEAC) hit .226 (56 kills, 21 errors in 155 attacks) and held a 13-4 edge in aces. Hampton also held a 9.0-7.0 advantage in blocks.
 
An ace from Strakova gave the Lady Pirates a 14-12 lead in the first set, before Coppin State (10-11, 4-4 MEAC) went on a 10-3 run to take a 22-17 lead. The Eagles later forced set point, taking a 24-19 lead, before the Lady Pirates scored the next four points, cutting that lead to 24-23 after Kocevska and Megne teamed on a block.
 
Coppin State took the next point to win the first set, despite the Lady Pirates hitting .311 (16 kills, two errors in 45 attacks) in the opening frame.
 
Coppin State took an 8-6 lead early in the second set, before the Lady Pirates scored the next seven points to take a 13-8 lead. A kill from Maksimovic later put Hampton up 14-9, before the Eagles scored four in a row to cut the lead to 14-13.
 
A 5-1 spurt gave the Lady Pirates a 19-14 lead after a block from Megne and Kraskura, before Coppin State clawed back and cut the lead to 20-17.
 
Hampton scored the next five points, tying the match at 1-1 after an ace from Medina.
 
Coppin State appeared to have control of the third set, leading 17-12 at one point. But the Lady Pirates stormed back with a vengeance, scoring the next nine points to take a 21-17 lead after Sttrakova and Kocevska teamed up on a block.
 
In all, the Lady Pirates ended the third set on a 13-2 run, taking the set 25-19, and a 2-1 lead in the match, after a kill from Maksimovic.
 
An ace from Kraskura gave the Lady Pirates a 12-9 lead in the fourth set, before the Eagles scored the next four points to go up 13-12. Hampton answered with a 4-0 spurt of its own, going up 16-13 after a block from Maksimovic and Kocevska.
 
The set then became a series of runs, as Coppin State went on a 5-1 spurt to take an 18-17 lead before the Lady Pirates scored three straight to go up 20-18 after a Coppin State attack error. The Eagles then used a 4-1 spurt to go up 22-21.
 
But the Lady Pirates had one last run in them, starting with a kill from freshman middle blocker Tatyana Thomas (Suffolk, Va.) to tie the set at 22-22. Hampton's last three points, fittingly, came from Strakova, who registered her last three kills to clinch the set.
 
Coppin State was held to .159 hitting for the match.

"We played as a team tonight. Kitija had an amazing performance," Weatherington said. "She put the hitters in a position to be successful on so many occasions. Sonja also had a steller performance. She led us in digs and finished the ball at critical times. I am just so proud of them all and pleased that we defended our home court with lots of fight and confidence."
 
The Lady Pirates will return to action on Sunday, playing host to Morgan State at 3 p.m. in their annual Dig Pink match. 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.