Dover, Del. (Aug. 28, 2021) --- The Delaware State volleyball team is 3-0 for the first time in more than 30 years after sweeping two matches at the Hornets Invitational today. DSU defeated Bucknell and St. Francis Brooklyn by 3-0 scores today for a perfect start to the season.
The Hornets opened the 2021 campaign with a 3-0 victory over St. Peter's on Friday.
In the Bucknell match, Delaware State won the first set 25-18 before a marathon 32-30 victory in the second set. The Hornets also needed extra play to defeat the Bison 27-25 in set three.
DSU's Alondra Maldonado led all players with 15 kills on 29 attacks (.345), while Mayah Ngundam added 12 kills on 20 attempts (.550).
Valerio Otero contributed eight kills and tied all players with 12 digs, and Kristi Gomez had eight winners and 10 digs for the Hornets.
In the second set, Delaware State was a point away from defeat, trailing 24-19, before running off five consecutive points to even the set.  The teams were also tied at 25 through 30 before the Hornets scored the last two points to complete the comeback.
In the third set, the Hornets were in command, leading 20-14, before the Bison stormed back to tie the score at 24. The teams were tied at 25 before the Hornets scored the last two points to claim the set and match.
Delaware State won the first set of the St. Francis match 25-23. DSU opened up a 2-0 lead in the contest  with a 25-19 victory in set two and completed sweep with a 25-17 win in the third set.
Maldonado was the Hornets' leader with 12 kills in the St. Francis match, while Otero and Gomez added 11 each.  Otero also tied for game-high honors with 14 digs.
DSU Setter Jelena Dukic led all players with 24 assists while also contributing 10 digs.
Otero and Adriana Rodriguez represented the Hornets on the All-Tournament Team. They were joined on the team by Lisa Zoch and Jordan Hardy of Bucknell, Angelee Ng of St. Francis and Alanis Alvarado of St. Peter's.
The Hornets will look to start the season with four consecutive wins when they return to action on Tuesday (Aug. 31) at home against Manhattan. Start time is set for 6:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall.