DOVER, DE --The Delaware State volleyball team jumped ahead 1-0, but couldn't hold on and fell 3-1 (27-25, 22-25, 14-25, 20-25) to the Coppin State Eagles Friday at home in Memorial Hall.

The loss dropped Delaware State's record to 7-8 overall and 0-1 in MEAC action.

The Hornets were led by a double-double from Valeria Otero, who registered 11 kills and 13 digs on the day. Ella Sanders also added nine kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Maria Caratini chipped in for with 14 digs to go with five blocks from Kelsie Dawson.

Delaware State had four players in double figures in digs. Maria Caratini had a team-high one ace in the loss. Valeria Otero had a team-high 11 kills for Delaware State.
Delaware State got a team-high 14 digs from Maria Caratini. Delaware State attackers were helped by a team-high 18 assists from Kaulana Kalulu-Sugai.

How It Happened

SET 1 | The Hornets survived a back-and-forth first set to win 27-25 in a stanza that featured five lead changes and was tied 14 times. Neither team led by more than three points in the match. got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked five Coppin State attacks in the stanza.

SET 2 | Delaware State then fell in set two 25-22, tying the match at a set apiece. Coppin State grabbed the advantage for good at 23-22 in a set that was knotted up seven times before the Lady Eagles took over in the second half of the stanza.

SET 3 | A third-set loss put Delaware State down 2-1. The Hornets fell behind on the first point and never took the lead before losing the set 25-14.

SET 4 | Delaware State lost set four and the match, falling 25-20. The Hornets trailed by as many as 12 points as Coppin State grabbed the advantage for good at 4-3 and Delaware State was never able to recover in a set that was tied up four times before the Lady Eagles took over the lead.

Delaware State will return to action on Sunday, September 24 when they travel to Baltimore to face Morgan State. The first serves are scheduled for 1 p.m.