DOVER, Del. --- The Delaware State women's volleyball team will continue on in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) competition this weekend with a home match against the Bears of Morgan State University on Friday and then will pay a visit to the Eagles of Coppin State University on Sunday.
 
After being swept on home court by Norfolk State University, Delaware State has responded in big ways both offensively and defensively. The Hornets improved to 14-4 overall with a 4-1 record in MEAC action after sweeping both North Carolina Central University and South Carolina State University last weekend and kicked off their three game away stand with a 3-0 win over University of Maryland Eastern Shore back on September 29th.  
 
Over the course of the past three games, as a team the Hornets have recorded a .316 hitting percentage averaging 12.3 kills per set. Junior middle blocker Alondra Maldonado served as one of the sources of offense during those wins, having tallied 24 kills for a 2.67 kills per set average.
 
The outside hitting duo of Karen Cordero and Valeria Otero have come alive lately combining for 38 kills for a combined average of 2.11 kills per set.
 
Defensively, Delaware State has held each of its last three opponents to a hitting percentage of less than .100 for an average of .044 across the three-game span. The Hornets have conceded only 61 kills only allowing 6.78 kills per set from opposing attackers.
 
When asked about the team's overall defensive production as of late, head coach Dr. Bruce Atkinson stated, "I think it's steady, there's always room for improvement but I think it's steadily progressing as the season goes on." 
 
Senior middle blocker Sydney Lewis enters this weekend as one of the MEAC's top two-way players where she remains the league leader in both hitting percentage and blocks (total and per set average). Her .414 hitting percentage has her currently ranked 19th in Division I and is currently the only member of the MEAC hitting leaders to record an average over .400. With 75 total blocks (1.19 per set), 120 kills (1.90 per set) and 20 service aces (.32 per set), Lewis has tallied 186.5 points in her senior year scoring 2.96 points per set.
 
As for Friday night, Delaware State welcomes Morgan State University to Memorial Hall where the Hornets look to extend their six game-15 straight-set win streak over the Bears. Delaware State took all three games in 2021 with each game ending in a 3-0 shutout.
 
With 33 kills for a 3.67 kills per set average, five service aces and one assisted block, Cordero was the top producer in this matchup having totaled 38.5 points scoring 4.28 points per set. Maldonado and Otero eclipsed the 20-kill mark with 25 and 22 respectively.
 
Lewis and Maldonado were a defensive tag team last season where each middle blocker recorded a pair of solo blocks and eight assisted blocks. As a team, Delaware State held Morgan State to a .097 hitting percentage only conceding 78 kills from 248 total attack attempts over the course of those three games.
 
Morgan State will be looking to sophomore outside hitter Gabriela Hiciano who was a key source of the Bears' offense in last year's matchup. Hiciano recorded 24 total kills for a 2.67 kills per set average. With three assisted blocks and two service aces, she notched 27.5 points scoring 3.06 points per set.
 
After Friday's match, the Hornets will travel to Baltimore, Maryland for another MEAC matchup with the Eagles of Coppin State University, who like Delaware State are also in the top half of the leader board in the league's current standings.
 
The Hornets were victorious in all three matchups over the Eagles in 2021 led by Cordero, like the Morgan State series was the top producer in this series as well. Cordero powered the offense with 50.5 total points (4.21 points per set average) by way of 43 kills, (3.58 kills per set average) and six service aces which were all team highs in those categories. She also chipped in on defense with one solo block and one assisted block. Otero also had a successful series last year, she recorded 37.0 total points, (3.08 points per set average) 32 kills (2.67 kills per set average) and four service aces.
 
Defensively, Delaware State held Coppin State to 112 total kills and a .109 hitting percentage. Kelsie Dawson led the defense with seven total blocks (3 BS, 4 BA) averaging 2.33 blocks per set.
 
Coppin State will look to snap its three-game skid against Delaware State behind a very potent offense led by the two-headed monster of Andrea Tsvetanova and Miajavon Coleman who will aim to crack through Delaware State's dominant defense. Tsvetanova, the MEAC's top setter enters the weekend with 723 total assists handing out 9.15 helpers per set. Coleman, who has a team-high 232 kills is averaging 2.94 kills per set. With 30 total blocks and seven service aces, Coleman also leads the Eagles in points, (255.0) scoring 3.23 per set. 
 
"Every match, once you get to conference has the potential to be a battle. We have to remain focused in each set of every match we play in order to come out on top. We feel like we're in a good position to be successful if we continue to remain healthy. Everyone in this conference is good at making in-game adjustments so we have to prepare for the constant position changes that come our way." – Coach Atkinson on playing Morgan State and Coppin State this coming this weekend.
 
First serve from Memorial Hall is currently scheduled for 6 p.m. with first serve from Coppin State's Physical Education Arena set to take place at 3 p.m.