DOVER, Del. - The Delaware State University volleyball team kept things close through two sets before LIU Brooklyn took charge in set three en route to a 3-0 (20-25; 23-25; 14-25) sweep of the Hornets Friday evening in the season-opening UNCW Courtyard Wilmington Beach Bash, held at the UNC Wilmington's Hanover Hall.
Junior Jessica Croucher (Brisbane, Australia) led Del State with nine kills and added in eight digs and a block assist. Senior Bel Fakaosi (Salt Lake City, Utah) recorded 22 assists on a .268 percentage in addition to nine digs, two block assists, a kill and ace.
In her first game for the Hornets, freshman Jasmine Jackson (South Riding, Va.) posted a team-high 12 digs along with six kills and a block assist.
DSU jumped out to a 9-5 lead in the first set off of an ace from Fakaosi before the Blackbirds took the momentum and went on a 12-1 run to go up, 17-10. The Hornets then rattled off eight points of their own, including kills from Croucher and senior Laisha Davis (Riviera Beach, Fla.) and an Edarkis Branch (sophomore; Los Angeles, Calif.) ace to tie things at 18-18. LIU Brooklyn finished things off with a kill from Ashley Price to take the 25-20 set one victory.
Things stayed close in the second set of the match, with neither team taking an advantage over three points. The Hornets held nine different leads before succumbing, 25-23, and going down two sets to none. DSU tallied a match-high 11 kills with a .135 attack percentage in the match.
The Blackbirds took charge in the third set, starting with a 5-0 lead and eventually winning, 25-14.
Annika Foit led LIU Brooklyn on offense with nine kills and four service aces, along with four digs and two blocks on defense.
The Hornets continue opening weekend with the Beach Bash, facing host UNC Wilmington at 1 p.m. Saturday and High Point at 5 p.m. Live stats are available for both contests at DSUHornets.com and free video streaming will be offered for the UNCW match, also at DSUHornets.com.
---DSU WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL---
