April 12, 2008

OMAHA, Neb. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) thought they would have the advantage today. After all, they are a fresh oil team. When they faced Vanderbilt yesterday to start they day they topped them 4-0. Suddenly the tables were turned and the hot team was Vanderbilt who went up 3-0. Don't call it a comeback, call it fate, UMES rebounded to pick up four straight games, riding the back of anchor Jessica Worsley and advance to the National Championship to face Arkansas State.

The semi-final round was a rematch of last year's National Championship and like last year the Hawks and Commodores went to seven games. Again the Hawks were involved with one of the most exciting games in NCAA Tournament history rebounding from three games down to pick up the win.

"I am so excited," said Coach Sharon Brummell. "I can not get over this team, they came storming back and made us all so proud, I knew we could do it."

The Lady Hawks will face Arkansas State University (ASU) who topped New Jersey City University in the semi-final round, also 4-3. The match will air live on ESPNU at 8:00 p.m. (ET).

Worsley was the hero for UMES. In the tenth frame of game number five, it looked as if the Hawks luck had run out and they would fall to the defending national champions. Worlsey, needed a mark and she left a nasty 2-10 split. Fans will remember that yesterday Worsley hit "the big four," a 4-7, 6-10 split to help defeat ASU.

She did it again, nailing the two pin, kicking it high in the air and covering the tenth allowing for a third ball and sealing the win.

"It was amazing," said Brummell. "She has been so big all season long."

UMES faces the team they defeated yesterday in eight games, ASU in the national championship match.