Dover, Del. (Aug. 31, 2014) --- A five-set loss to Niagara highlighted the Delaware State volleyball team's opening weekend at the Syracuse Big Orange Tournament.

The Hornets held a 2-1 lead in the Niagara contest, but dropped the last two games to fall to the Griffs.
Delaware State won the first set 25-23. Niagara tied the match with a 25-14 win in game two. The Hornets regained the lead in the contest with a 25-21 victory in the third game.

The Griffs forced a deciding game with a 25-14 win in the fourth set; and claimed the match by a 15-7 score in the final game.

DSU's Jasmine Jackson (jr.) recorded a double-double in the Niagara contest, leading the team with 12 kills and collecting 17 digs.

Newcomer Alliyah McBean (fr.) topped all players with 26 digs in the contest, while Natalia Mendieta had a team-high 20 assists.

Ariana Stevens (so.) had eight blocks, two solo, in the Niagara match.

Amanda Sedore led three Niagara players in double figures with 16 kills in the contest.   

Delaware State also fell to host Syracuse (0-3) and Temple (0-3) during the tournament.

Jackson led the Hornets with 23 kills, while McBean tallied 45 digs in the three matches. Stevens had 10 blocks and NaKia Jones (fr.) nine in the weekend tournament.  

The Hornets return to action on Tues. (Sep. 2) at Delaware. The match is set for 7 p.m.