Dover, Del. (Oct. 12, 2014) – The Delaware State University volleyball team notched its first win of the season today, posting a 3-0 victory over Norfolk State in Memorial Hall.

The scores were 25-18, 26-24 and 25-22.

The Hornets posted a season-high .315 hitting percentage in the match, tallying 39 kills and 11 errors on 89 attacks. Norfolk State totaled 35 kills and 22 errors on 97 attempts for a .134 attack percentage.  

DSU's Nevershi Ellis led all players with 13 kills (.304 hitting percentage). She also recorded six digs and three blocks.

Jasmine Jackson added 11 kills (.348) and seven digs for the Hornets.

Ayanna Lee led the Hornets with nine digs.

Natalia Mendieta topped DSU with 19 assists and matched her career high with five aces. The Hornets had a season-high eight services aces in the match.

In the first set, Delaware State led 5-1 and opened up 12-4 lead on Norfolk State error. The Hornets led 16-9 before the Spartans scored four of the next  five points to stay close. NSU pulled to within 17-13 on an ace by Kayla Cason.

The Hornets responded by scoring the next three points, and opened up a 20-13 lead on a kill by Jackson.

Delaware State led 5-1 in the second set before the Spartans battled back to tie the score at 8-8. The teams were locked in a 19-19 tie when Norfolk State scored the next three points to open up a 22-19 lead.

The Hornets scored the next three points, and tied the set at 22-22 on a kill by Ellis off a feed from Mendieta.

Norfolk State was a point away from winning the set, up 24-23, when Jackson scored another winner for the Hornets to force the ninth tie of the set.

The Spartans committed attack errors on the next two serves to give DSU the set win and 2-0 lead in the match.

Norfolk State was ahead 7-4 and 14-11 in the third set before Delaware State fought back.

The third set featured a total of 12 ties, the last at 22-22. The Hornets won the next three points to claim the match win.

Delaware State is now 1-15 overall and 1-4 in the MEAC North. Norfolk State fell to 0-17 and 0-5.
The Hornets return to action next Sunday (Oct. 19) at Maryland-Eastern Shore. The MEAC contest is set for 3 p.m. in Princess Anne, Md.