NEWARK, DE : Sophomore Kelly Gibson (right) recorded 21 kills and added 17 digs but the University of Delaware was unable to down first place Hofstra University in a Colonial Athletic Association volleyball match Friday evening at Viera Court.

Hofstra, which has won 12 straight matches, found itself down 2-1 before storming back to take the final two games and the victory, 3-2 (28-30, 30-27, 26-30, 30-27,15-10). The match marked the first time that the Pride had been taken to a fifth game in conference play.

For the Blue Hens, Colleen Walsh posted 14 kills, while freshman Michelle LaLonde tallied 12 kills and two blocks. Kelly Matthias added 10 kills and a team-high five blocks, while setter Megan Welch led the way with a team-high 57 assists.

In the decisive fifth game, the Hens took an early 4-0 lead before Hofstra came back to take the next four points, knotting the score at 4-4. The Pride then ended the game on a hot streak winning eight of the final 11 points, and the win was capped off by a Beverly Rivera kill.

Delaware falls to 16-7 and 7-6 in the CAA, while Hofstra improves to 17-5 and 13-0 in conference play.

Beverly Rivera recorded a career-high 25 kills to go along with 11 digs to lead the Pride while Elizabeth Curley added 19 kills.

The Hens will return to action Saturday when they host Northeastern at Viera Court at 7 p.m.

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