HAMPTON, Va. - The Hampton University volleyball team defeated Delaware State Friday evening in straight sets, 3-0 (24-26, 17-25, 12-25) at the Pirates' Holland Hall.

Senior Bel Fakaosi (Salt Lake City, Utah) led the Hornets with 22 assists and eight digs while sophomore Edarkis Branch (Los Angeles, Calif.) collected nine kills and six digs.

Hampton took a 6-4 lead in the first set before DSU answered with a 6-2 run.  The Lady Pirates then rattled off six straight points to go up, 14-10 before the Hornets fought back to tie things at 20-20.  Hampton then went up 22-20, only to have Del State battle back twice more, tying the set at 23-23 and again at 24-24.  The Lady Pirates received a kill and ace from sophomore Vendula Strakova to give Hampton the 26-24 win.

In the second set, the Hornets jumped out to a 4-1 lead before HU scored three straight points to tie the set at 4-4.  The Lady Pirates then took a 10-9 lead, before the two teams traded points over the course of several rallies.  Hampton went up 16-12, but three straight Hornet points cut the lead to 16-15.  The Lady Pirates continued with a 7-1 run to take the 23-16 lead and eventually take the 25-17 win.

Hampton carried the momentum into the third set, wasting no time in grabbing a 6-3 lead.  The lead soon ballooned to 11-4 and then 17-8.  The Lady Pirates went up, 21-10, and then scored four of the next seven points to take the set and clinch the match.

With the loss, Delaware State falls to 5-20 overall and 2-9 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.  Hampton improves to 17-13 and 8-3 in the conference.

The Hornets wrap up the regular season Sunday with a 3 p.m. match at Norfolk State.

Portions of this release courtesy Hampton University Athletics.

---DSU WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL---