Before the first serve at the Physical Education Complex Arena on Sunday, Coppin State women’s volleyball took time to celebrate the players approaching the end of their collegiate careers. Seniors Kayden Cupid, Coco Figueroa and Kendall Minta received pregame recognition as the Eagles welcomed Delaware State for their final home match of the regular season.

The celebration came with a championship already secured. Coppin entered the afternoon as the MEAC regular-season champion, claiming its second consecutive title and fourth in five seasons. Thursday’s sweep at Maryland Eastern Shore had guaranteed at least a share of the crown, with Morgan State’s victory over Delaware State on Friday securing the outright championship. Senior Day offered another opportunity to recognize the players contributing to that success while continuing preparations for the postseason.

Delaware State arrived looking to rebound from its loss to Morgan State and reverse an earlier defeat against Coppin in Dover. The Hornets pushed the Eagles beyond the usual finishing point in two sets, but Coppin completed a 3–0 victory, winning 25–20, 26–24 and 28–26. The result lifted the Eagles to 21–8 overall and 12–1 in conference play, while Delaware State fell to 17–10 and 8–5.

Coppin established an early advantage in the opening set, building a 12–4 lead during a stretch that included consecutive service aces from Eva Rovello and a kill by Minta. Delaware State narrowed the margin, but the Eagles secured the opener before facing tighter finishes in the next two sets. Both required extra points, and Coppin found the decisive plays each time to keep the Hornets from extending the afternoon.

Cherisse Atilano supplied the Eagles’ strongest attacking performance, recording a season-high 20 kills while hitting .444. Her production accounted for nearly half of Coppin’s 43 kills, giving the Eagles a dependable scoring option throughout the match. Rovello directed the offense with 33 assists, added eight digs and three aces, and moved past 1,000 assists for the season.

The seniors also left their mark on the result. Cupid contributed five kills and a match-high five blocks, while Minta finished with two kills and two blocks. Figueroa led all players with 11 digs and added two service aces. Fittingly, it was Figueroa who delivered the final point from the service line, closing the third set with an ace to complete the Senior Day sweep.

Aaliyah Mitchell led Delaware State with 15 kills, while Emma Patmon and Amanda Santos Juliao added seven apiece. The Hornets produced 10 service aces, but Coppin finished with advantages in kills, digs and blocks.

The Eagles now turn to their regular-season finale at Morgan State on Friday, November 13, at 6 p.m. Coppin will then return to PEC Arena to host the MEAC Tournament from November 20–22, giving its seniors another opportunity to compete at home with a postseason championship at stake.

Final: Coppin State 3, Delaware State 0
Set scores: 25–20, 26–24, 28–26