EASTON, PA. (September 5th, 2009) - Delaware State Volleyball split the final two matches of the Lafayette Invitational today, falling to host Lafayette 3-1 (25-19, 25-15, 22-25, 25-16), but then defeating St. Peter's 3-0 (26-24, 27-25, 25-14).
"I thought we had a very positive weekend," said head coach Renee Arnold, who is in her sixth year with the Hornets. "We got some great experience, and had a lot of different players step up. Against FDU, it was Erica (Tajchman), against St. Peter's, it was Ashley (Herman). Sarah (Wheatcroft) and CJ (Cassandra Joyner) also both played really well throughout the tournament. The morning match showed us some things we had to work on, so we've got to keep building and getting better."
In the first match Lafayette (3-1) used a balanced attack to take the Hornets out of their comfort zone. The Leopards hit .263 as a team, the highest average for a DSU opponent this season, and three different attackers registered double digit kills, led by Alana Taylor with 16. Tajchman, star of yesterday's five set thriller, was once again impressive from the outside hitter position tallying 11 kills to lead the Hornets. DSU was also able to again establish an important presence at the net, outblocking the Leopards 6-3 for the match, with three blocks going to the senior and All-MEAC performer Joyner.
The afternoon session saw the Hornets (2-5) pick up their first sweep of the young season, needing extra volleyball to take away the first two sets from St. Peter's (2-5). Junior Ashley Herman stood out early and often, hitting a gaudy .474 with 10 kills against just one error. But the leader was again the senior Joyner, who has been the catalyst for Hornets so far this season. Her 14 kills and .379 average were a big part of the season high .262 hitting percentage the red and blue registered as a team. The Hornets also seemed to find a mix of players that was effective, as for the first time on the season no substitutes were used the entire match.
An All-Tournament team has yet to be announced.
The Hornets are off until Friday, when the Hornet Invitational begins at Memorial Hall Gymnasium on the DSU campus. The Hornets will be joined by Norfolk State, LaSalle, Navy, and fellow MEAC member UMES (who they won't play until later in the season). Check back with DSUHornets.com for more information throughout the week on the biggest home weekend of volleyball for Delaware State this season.
