BALTIMORE, MD --The Delaware State volleyball team grabbed a two-set lead, but couldn't hang on and lost in five sets (32-30, 25-21, 19-25, 16-25, 9-15) to the Coppin State Eagles Friday on the road at Physical Education Complex.

The loss dropped Delaware State's record to 11-11 overall and 4-4 in MEAC play. 

The Hornets offense was paced by Alondra Maldonado, who finished with 17 kills on the day, and by Julia Kneba, who had 12 while hitting .385. Defensively, the Hornets had three players reach double figures in digs, including Maria Caratini's 21, 15 from Valeria Otero, and 13 more from Ella Sanders. Ella Sanders had a team-high three aces in the loss. Delaware State attackers were helped by a team-high 27 assists from Kaulana Kalulu-Sugai.

How It Happened

SET 1 | The Hornets came out on top of a close first set, winning 32-30 in a stanza that was tied 10 times and had three lead changes. The Hornets opening set win came in a stanza where 22 of their 32 points came via the kill. Delaware State also supplemented their offense with three aces in the opening set.

SET 2 | Delaware State carried momentum from a set-one win by earning a 25-21 victory in set two. The Hornets persevered in a back-and-forth set to win in a stanza that featured three lead changes and was tied eight times. Neither team led by more than four points along the way.

SET 3 | Delaware State saw its bid for a 3-0 sweep end when Coppin State took set three. The Hornets fell in a tough set 25-19. Delaware State trailed by as many as six points as Coppin State grabbed the advantage for good at 17-16 in a set that was tied up five times before the Lady Eagles took over in the second half of the stanza.

SET 4 | Delaware State then dropped their second straight set 25-16 to brind the match level at two sets apiece. The Hornets fell behind on the first point and fought from behind the rest of the way before losing the set.

SET 5 | Delaware State grabbed a 2-0 set lead, but couldn't win another set on their way to losing the match. The Hornets trailed by as many as six points before losing the fifth set.

Delaware State will return to action on Sunday, October 22 when they host Morgan State University. The first serves are scheduled for 5 p.m.