Baltimore, Md.-- Niki Khoshatefeh (Temcula, Calif.) and Kamani Conteh (New Castle, Del.) topped UMBC with 14 kills apiece while Riley Putnicki (Monument, Colo) added 46 assists as the Retrievers pushed visiting Coppin State to five sets but the Eagles escaped with a 20-25, 25-23, 25-23, 13-25, 15-9 victory in a non-conference match-up Tuesday night. 

 

Kohshatefeh set two career-highs, with the 14 kills and 10 blocks. Paige Krenik (Fothill Ranch, Calif.) had a season high nine kills in addition to five digs. 

 

Conteh also helped out with 13 digs in a match where both teams had good moments on offense and defense. Khoshatefeh and Conteh both have given UMBC (3-11, 0-1) punch on offense and help at the net in the last few matches.

 

Putnicki, who was named America East Co-Rookie of the Week earlier in the day, has given the Retrievers help with her assists. The 46 helpers in this match played a role in the Retrievers rallying from a 2-1 deficit after three sets to force Coppin State (6-10, 2-0) to that last set. 

 

Kayla Tomas (Silver Spring, Md.) had a career-high 16 digs, while Brooke Hayden (Mt.Airy, Md.) had 15 digs, while Conteh (the 13 digs) plus Putnicki (10 digs) also played big roles in the UMBC defense. Emily Ferketic (Pittsburgh, Pa.) had a career-best nine blocks as well. 

 

UMBC tried to turn the match around with a strong effort in the fourth set after the Eagles had taken two of the first three. The Retrievers used a five-point run early in the fourth set plus a six-point run later and took command. 

 

But Coppin State ruled the fifth set. An eight-point streak gave the Eagles a 12-4 lead and all but locked up the match. 

 

The Retrievers next play Sunday at home in an America East match against New Hampshire.