BROOKLYN, NY --The Delaware State volleyball team showed remarkable fortitude with a five set victory over the LIU Sharks Tuesday on the road at Wellness, Recreation and Athletic Center.
The out-of-conference victory improved Delaware State's overall record to 5-6 on the season.
The Hornets were led by a double-double from Ella Sanders, who registered 13 kills and 18 digs on the day. Alondra Maldonado also added 23 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Valeria Otero chipped in for with 23 digs to go with three blocks from Maldonado.
Delaware State had three players in double figures in kills. Delaware State had three players in double figures in digs. Valeria Otero had a match-high four aces in the win. Delaware State got a team-high 23 digs from Valeria Otero. Delaware State attackers were helped by a team-high 31 assists from Naz Tuncay.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Hornets fell behind early, losing a tough first set 25-19. Delaware State trailed by as many as six points as LIU grabbed the advantage for good at 8-7 in a set that was notted up four times before the Sharks took control.
SET 2 | Delaware State fought back after dropping the first set to take set two 25-13, tying the match at 1-1. The Hornets took control of the set lead early on at 3-2 and never trailed. Delaware State led by as many as 12 points at 19-7 before finishing off the set. The Delaware State offense also got a boost from four aces in the stanza.
SET 3 | LIU grabbed a 2-1 match lead after taking down the Hornets in set three. The Hornets lost a tough set 25-19. Delaware State trailed by as many as seven points as LIU grabbed the advantage for good at 10-9 in a set that was knotted up seven times before the Sharks took over the lead.
SET 4 | Delaware State then responded to win set four 25-20 to force a fifth set. A strong performance on the attacking end led the Hornets to victory in the set. Delaware State registered a .324 attack percentage with 16 kills in the set win. The Hornets opened up a 23-17 lead in the stanza and coasted to victory from there. Delaware State also supplemented their offense with three aces in the set.
SET 5 | Down two sets to one, Delaware State powered back to win the final two sets, culminating in a 17-15 fifth-set victory, to take the match 3-2. The Hornets seized set five and the game despite falling behind by as many as five points at 10-5 before fighting back to secure the victory. Delaware State jumped in front at 16-15 and hung on to take the set, collecting 11 kills along the way.
Delaware State will return to action on Friday, September 15 when they face NJIT in their home opener and in the Delaware State Invitational. The first serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. .
