HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. --- The Delaware State University women's volleyball team opened its 2023 season with a 3-0 win over New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) on Friday afternoon as part of the 2023 Hofstra Invitational hosted by Hofstra University.

Delaware State women's volleyball head coach David Brooks stated after the win "I'm so proud of the way the girls finished.  To be tied or behind all three sets in the 20s and to come away with three set wins speaks to the maturity and poise of the team. We are a young team but the three seniors (Carattini, Maldonado and Otero) led the way". Today's win also marks the first in his Delaware State coaching career and when asked about his first win at the helm and coach stated  "From the minute I stepped on campus, DSU has felt like home. I am excited that hopefully I will be able to bring many more wins to DSU and continue their storied tradition."

 
Offensively, the Hornets were led by the 2022 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament Most Outstanding Performer Alondra Maldonado who landed a game-high 14 kills followed by Valeria Otero who notched 10, including the final kill of the match to put the contest away. Maldonado got up on four block assists for a game-best 16 points in the win.
 
In her collegiate debut, Paige Meins dished out a game-high 19 assists from the setter position.
 
Defensively, Maria Carattini who returned to the Hornets this season dug her team out of 12 NJIT attack attempts while sophomore transfer Gerren Tomlin tallied 10 digs in an effort to keep Delaware State out in front. Also in her debut on the front line, Hannah Sanders recorded a game-best five total blocks and with four kills, she chipped in with seven total points in the win.
 
As a team, the Hornets limited the Highlanders to a .069 hitting percentage only allowing 31 kills in 116 total attempts.

Delaware State continues day two of the 2023 Hofstra Invitational tomorrow with a pair of matches, beginning with Siena College at 11 a.m. followed by the host Hofstra University at 7 p.m.