DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY VOLLEYBALL GAME NOTES

November 6, 2008

Contacts: Brett Kahn, Media Relations Assistant ? (302) 857-6239

Delaware State (14-10, 7-3) vs. NJIT (16-11)
Saturday, November 8 -- Memorial Hall -- 5 p.m.
Live Stats: dsuhornets.com


For Complete .PDF Version of the Volleyball Game Notes:  Click here

Hornets Close Out Regular Season  
The Hornets are coming off of their most impressive streak of the season.  They have won four-straight matches, including three conference matches.  On November 8, DSU will close out the season with a non-conference match-up against New Jersey Tech.  The Hornets are 2-1 all-time against the Highlanders with the last victory coming in 2006. 

Looking Back  
The Hornets have faced the Highlanders the last two seasons.  In 2007, DSU lost a hard-fought match-up, 3-2.  In that contest, Erica Tajchman tallied a double-double with 11 kills and 17 digs.    

When these two teams met in 2006, The Hornets took care of business, 3-1.  Cassandra Joyner recorded nine kills to help lead DSU to the victory. 

Joyner Earns MEAC Honors  
Joyner led the Hornets to three straight wins in as many days this past weekend.  For her efforts, she was rewarded by being named the MEAC Player of the Week.

Head Coach Renee Arnold  
DSU Head Coach Renee Arnold (64-94) is in her fifth season with the Hornets.  In 2008, she led the Hornets to a 3-0 showing at the Delaware State Tournament in late September.  She has also led DSU to two three-game winning streaks and a four-game streak, this season.

The 2008 Hornets   
Junior Cassandra Joyner leads the team in kills (275), kills/game (3.12), total blocks (69) and blocks/game (0.78).      

Sophomore Erica Tajchman leads the Hornets in digs (178), digs/game (2.14) and service aces. (38)  She also ranks second in kills, (212) and kills/game, (2.55)   

Sophomore Sarah Wheatcroft leads the team in assists (383).      

As a team, the Hornets rank second in the MEAC in opponents' hitting percentage (.183), hitting percentage, (.197) and service aces/game, (1.97)   (All as of 11/2)

Four is Better
DSU just compiled a four-game winning streak. (10/26-11/2)  This is the Hornets' first four-game winning streak 2006. (10/21/06-10/28/06)   Sophomore

Sophomore Sarah Wheatcroft
In 2008, Wheatcroft has tallied two out of the three triple-doubles in the MEAC.  Wheatcroft currently ranks second on the team in assists (255) and third in kills (110).

Junior Cassandra Joyner- OH/MB
Joyner is tied for the MEAC lead in most 20-kill games this season. (2) She hasn't, however, eclipsed more than 20, in 2008. 

Finishing Above .500
After 24 matches, the Hornets are 14-10.  They have clinched their first winning season since 1991.

Dynamic Duo
Setters Martina Ferrari and Sarah Wheatcroft are the only setters on the same team in the MEAC to each average more than four assists/game. (Ferrari -- 4.78, Wheatcroft -- 4.51)

Aces in the Hole
As of 11/2, four DSU players rank in the top 10 in the MEAC for service aces/game.  Erica Tajchman -- 3rd -- 0.46; Sarah Wheatcroft -- 6th -- 0.36; Martina Ferrari -- 7th -- 0.35; Elisa Herman -- 10th -- 0.32

Serving the Competition
As of 11/2, the Hornets rank sixth in the nation with 2.02 service aces/game.  They are second in the MEAC behind UMES (2.20). 

“Digging” Up a New School Record
Freshman Setter Sonja Banicevic set a new school record with 30 digs against Hampton, 10/3.  The previous record stood at 26 by Kinga Muszynski. (10/7/06 vs. Howard)

NJIT Player to Watch - Renata Pandolfo ? OH
Pandolfo currently leads the Highlanders with 2.72 kills/game, 0.42 service aces/game, and ranks second on the team with 3.63 digs/game.