DOVER, DE --Alondra Maldonado racked up nine kills with a .692 hitting percentage to help propel the Delaware State volleyball team to a 3-1 victory (22-25, 25-16, 25-8, 25-12) over the Pennsylvania Quakers Saturday at home at Memorial Hall.
The non-conference victory improved Delaware State's overall record to 7-6 on the season.
The Hornets offense was paced by Kim Czepukaitis, who finished with 10 kills on the day while accumulating a hitting percentage of .714, and by Valeria Otero, who had 10 while hitting .269. got 11 digs from Maria Caratini to lead them defensively.
Alondra Maldonado was efficient in attacking situations in the match, accumulating nine kills while hitting .692. Naz Tuncay had a match-high four aces in the win. Delaware State never trailed on the way to winning the third set 25-8. Kim Czepukaitis had a team-high 10 kills for Delaware State. Delaware State got a match-high 11 digs from Maria Caratini. Delaware State attackers were helped by a team-high 18 assists from Naz Tuncay.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Hornets came up short in a back-and-forth first set, losing 25-22 in a game that featured five lead changes and was tied 11 times. Neither team led by more than four points in the match.
SET 2 | Delaware State tied the match at 1-1 with a 25-16 victory in set two. The Hornets took control of the set lead early on at 5-4 and held the lead the rest of the way. Delaware State opened its biggest lead of the stanza, nine points, to finish off the set, collecting 16 kills in the set. Delaware State's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four Pennsylvania attacks in the stanza.
SET 3 | Delaware State built on that second-set success with a victory in set number three to open up a lead at two sets to one. The Hornets led from the opening point on in the set to earn a 25-8 victory. Delaware State ended on a high note, claiming its biggest lead, 17 points, to close out the set. The Delaware State offense also got a boost from three aces in the stanza.
SET 4 | Delaware State finished off the match with a 25-12 fourth-set victory, winning their third straight set. The Hornets took the lead for good at 9-8 in a set that showcased three lead changes before the Hornets took over the lead.
