HAMPTON, VA. – The Hampton Lady Pirates opened their final home weekend of the 2016 season on Thursday night with a four-set victory over Morgan State in a key Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Northern Division matchup.

Morgan State (4-18, 4-3) won the opening set 25-17, but Hampton rallied to take the next three 25-19, 25-22 and 25-14.  This avenged a loss to the Bears on September 23 when Morgan won 13-25, 25-23, 27-25, and 25-20.

In the opening set, Hampton jumped out to an early 6-2 lead off a kill from Reeana Richardson.  Morgan State scored eight of the next 10 points to lead 10-8 after a service ace from Haley McClure.  That lead grew to 17-11 off a Victoria Turnbough kill as the Bears won the opening set 25-17.

Hampton started its comeback in the second set as the score was tied six times with a Lena Washington kill to tie it at 15-all.   That started a run of six out of eight points for Hampton to lead 20-17 after a kill from Ashlyn Dunlop.  The Lady Pirates finished the second set scoring five of the last seven points to win 25-19.

The third set was one of runs as Hampton opened with six of the first seven points before Morgan State ripped off a 13-5 run to lead 14-11.   A Micah Leavell kill capped a 7-2 spurt from Hampton to put them up 18-16 for a lead they wouldn't relinquish to win set three 25-22.

In the eventual deciding set, Hampton held a lead from the start going up 12-6 following a Morgan State attack error.   That lead eventually grew to 20-10 off a Morgan State attack error with blocks from Lena Washington and Ravyn Richardson.  The Lady Pirates cruised to the clinching 25-14 fourth set win for the 3-1 victory.

Hampton was topped by a pair of double-doubles as Micah Leavell recorded 12 kills and 10 digs, while Lena Washington had 10 kills and 12 digs.  Summer Humes matched her season-high with 16 digs, while Washington's 10 kills were one off her season high against Morgan State in the first meeting.  Brianna Lilly added 35 assists, four digs and two blocks.

The Lady Pirates will close out their home schedule on Sunday at 3 pm when they face Coppin State in Holland Hall.

For more information on Hampton University volleyball, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5906 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.