HORNETS VS. Valparaiso, Youngstown State and Idaho in Doubletree-Youngstown State Invitational
Aug. 26-27 / Beeghly Center (Roselli Court - 6,300) - Youngstown, OH
The 2022 Delaware State volleyball team opens the season at the four-team DoubleTree Youngstown State Invitational. The Hornets will face Valparaiso in the tournament opener (Aug. 26 @11: 00 a.m) and take on host Youngstown State later in the day (7:00 p.m.). Delaware State will battle Idaho in its tournament finale on Aug. 27.
The Hornets feature nine returning players from their 2021 squad, which captured a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) regular season title for the first time since 1987, reached the MEAC Tournament championship match for the first time since 2010 and made a first-ever appearance in a national championship tournament (National Invitational Volleyball Championship).
The '21 Hornets were two sets away from capturing their first conference tournament championship since 1986, but fell short. With the majority of their key players still around, the Hornets are expected to be among the favorites in the MEAC championship race again this year.
In addition, the Hornets were a perfect 13-0 at home and 11-1 vs. non-conference teams during the regular season, while also establishing new team highs for MEAC wins (12), longest win streak (16) and shutout wins (20). Delaware State ended the 2021 regular season as the MEAC leader in kills, hitting percentage, opponents hitting percentage and assists.
Head coach Bruce Atkinson, now in his fourth year, was selected as the 2021 MEAC Coach-of-the-Year.
The 2022 Hornets return their top players from last season, including middle blocker
Alondra Maldonado (jr.), a Preseason All-MEAC First Team selection. Maldonado was second in the MEAC in kills at 3.15 per set, seventh in hitting percentage (.298) , and ninth in blocks (0.76 per set) last season.
2021 All-MEAC Second Team honorees
Sydney Lewis (sr.; MB) and
Malgorzata Andersohn (sr.; S) also return.
Lewis was the MEAC leader with .363 hitting percentage (168 kills/50 errors/325 attacks) and third in the league in blocks at 0.99 per set (103 total, including 18 solo) last season, while Andersohn was the 2021 NCAA Div. I statistical champion in aces per set (0.65) and seventh in the nation in total aces with 59.
Defensive specialist
Jasmal Cruz (sr.) and powerful outside hitter
Valeria Otero (jr.), along with 2021 standout newcomers
Kelsie Dawson (so.; MB) and
Karen Cordero (sr.; OH) are also expected to continue their stellar play this year.
Delaware State has been picked to finish second in the 2022 MEAC regular season race, trailing only defending champion and preseason favorite Howard University in the poll of league head coaches and sports information
representatives.
Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYizBYfX82M
Live stats
https://ysusports.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
