EAST LANSING, M.I. --- Delaware State went 1-1 on day one of the 2023 Kathy DeBoer Invitational, first with a win over power five school Syracuse University followed by a loss to Belmont University.

Delaware State 3, Syracuse 0

The Hornets came out on day one handing the Orange three straight losses. The Orange came close in the third set, but the Hornets held on for the win, 25-22. 

The Hornets were led offensively by Gerren Tomlin who tallied 10.5 points. Tomlin landed eight kills and two service aces. Alondra Maldonado also tallied eight kills with 9.5 points and one block assist. 

Ella Sanders recorded ten digs and 8 points. 

Alondra Maldonado notched 10 kills for her second-straight double-digit kill game of the year. Maldonado chipped in on the defensive side of the net as she got up for three block assists.

Naz Tuncay (17) and Kaulana Kalulu-Sugai (12) combined for 29 of the team's 37 total assists.

As a team, Delaware State held Syracuse to a .131 hitting percentage only allowing 30 kills on 99 total attempts.

Belmont 3, Delaware State 0

Belmont came out swinging in the nightcap by sweeping the Hornets. Delaware State held their own in the first two sets but couldn't finish it off to win a set.

Tomlin paced the offensive efforts with 10 kills to go with her one-block assists for a total of 11.5 points. Maldonado and  Sanders chipped in with 9.5 points apiece. Maldonado recorded nine kills, four digs, and one block assist while Sanders came away with eight kills, one block assist, and one serving ace.

Kalulu-Sugai added three serving aces. Valeria Otero collected 10 digs and one serving ace.

Delaware State will return to action on Sunday for day two of the Kathy DeBoer Invitational. Where they will face tournament host Michigan State University. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.