Dover, Del. (Aug. 10, 2022) --- The Delaware State volleyball team's quest to complete its MEAC championship goal is underway with the start of preseason workouts camp for the 2022 campaign.
After sharing the 2021 MEAC regular season title, the 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.
Delaware State's historic 2021 season was highlighted by a share of the
MEAC regular season title for the first time since 1987 and a team record 26 wins (26-5).
The Hornets competed in the
MEAC championship match for the first time since 2010 and was selected to the field of a national championship tournament (National Invitational Volleyball Championship) for the first time in team history during the 2021 campaign.
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 each starter from last season, including middle blocker
Alondra Maldonado (jr.), a '21 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.
The Hornets open the 2022 season at the Youngstown State Invitational Aug. 26 & 27. The home opener is Aug. 31 against Manhattan.
Delaware State will host a four-team tournament on Sep. 2-3 in Memorial Hall on the university's main campus. The tournament field will also include Loyola (Md.), Hartford and Quinnipiac.
2022 Delaware State volleyball schedule link:
https://dsuhornets.com/sports/womens-volleyball/schedule
