DOVER, Del. --- The Delaware State women's volleyball team will compete in three matches between Thursday and Friday as part of the Mountaineer Invitational hosted by West Virginia University.
 
Heading into this week's matches, the Hornets have secured eight wins in a row with seven coming by way of straight-set victories. Delaware State has not played more than three sets since claiming a 3-2 win over University of Idaho to finish off the YSU/DoubleTree-Youngstown Volleyball Invitational.
 
With depth on the offensive side of the ball, the Hornets will look to the upperclassmen to continue the roll they have been on in the last eight games. Senior outside hitter Karen Cordero and junior middle blocker Alondra Maldonado have been recognized with Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Week honors while senior middle blocker Sydney Lewis has been tabbed as a MEAC Defensive Player of the Week.
 
Cordero, who picked up MEAC Co-Player of the Week honors a few days ago, came through as one of the top producers for the Hornets with 33 kills, six service aces and two assists for a total of 40 points to help Delaware State record four more checkmarks in the win column.
 
Lewis enters this tournament leading the MEAC in a couple different categories. She sits atop the leader board in hitting percentage (.427) while also ranking 18th in Division I in said category. With 38 total blocks on the year, her average of 1.19 blocks per set has her sitting in first place in the league. Her 19 service aces and average of .54 aces per set, Lewis sits second in second place in the MEAC. Recording 3.28 points per set so far, she is also second in total points and points per set in the conference.
 
Maldonado currently sits second on the team in total kills (80). Maldonado also ranks among the top 10 in the MEAC in points and points per set with 94 total and a 2.76 average.
 
Reigning Aces Per Set Statistical Champion, Malgorzata Andersohn has asserted herself as one of the premier setters in the league. Already eclipsing the 200-assist mark, Andersohn has recorded five games this season with at least 20 helpers with three of those games coming in 3-0-win fashion. Her 5.74 assist per set average currently ranks her fifth in MEAC.
 
As a team, Delaware State continues to rank amongst some of the best in volleyball's statistical categories. As of games played through Sept. 11, 2022, the Hornets currently rank third in total service aces (87) sitting just behind Lehigh and Saint Louis. With an average of 2.49 Aces Per Set, Delaware State sits fifth in the country in said category. Defensively, the Hornets are holding opponents to a hitting percentage of .127, good enough to sit in eighth place in Division I.
 
"We are looking forward to participating in the Mountaineer Invitational.  My father was born and raised in West Virginia, and I still have family in the area.  I am excited to return to WVU's beautiful campus" – head coach Dr. Bruce Atkinson ahead of the Mountaineer Invitational

Delaware State opens up the Mountaineer Invitational against Binghamton at 10 a.m. and will then play Merrimack at 4:30 p.m. The Hornets will conclude their stint in the tournament against the host Mountaineers of West Virginia on Friday at 6 p.m. All three games will take place in The Coliseum in Morgantown. The games can be followed along with via the links below. 



Delaware State vs. Binghamton
Live Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=422273
 

Delaware State vs. Merrimack
            Live Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=422274


Delaware State vs. West Virginia
            Live Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=420050