HEMPSTEAD, NY -- The Hofstra University volleyball team had five players reach double figures in kills as the top-seeded Pride held off fifth-seeded Delaware, 3-2 (30-27, 28-30, 30-25, 26-30, 15-11), in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament Semifinals Saturday afternoon at Hofstra’s Physical Fitness Center.

The Pride, which improved to 22-6 this season while defeating the Blue Hens for the third time on the year, advances to Sunday’s championship match against the winner of the second semifinal between James Madison and Virginia Commonwealth. Delaware, competing in the CAA Tournament for the first time since appearing in the tournament final in 2004, ended its season with a 21-9 mark.

Colleen Walsh (right), a second team All-CAA selection, led the Blue Hens with a match-high 26 kills while committing only four errors to finish with a .386 hitting percentage. First team All-CAA pick Kelly Gibson added 25 kills and a team-high 24 digs, while senior Heather Ranck contributed 22 digs in her final match as a Blue Hen.

Megan Welch posted 67 assists and 18 digs for Delaware, while freshman Kelly Matthias chipped in 13 kills and four blocks. Michelle LaLonde, who like Matthias was named to the conference All-Rookie Team, added nine kills and a team-best five blocks for the Blue Hens.

Hofstra, which won its 11th straight home match, was led by Beverly Rivera, who recorded a team-high 25 kills. Lauren Engle added 16 kills, while Elizabeth Curley and Harmonie Calinda each posted 13 kills. Amanda Beyersdorff notched 11 kills for the Pride, while Catherine Durakis posted a team-best 24 digs and Shellane Ogoshi recorded 20 digs.

The first game remained tight throughout, but Hofstra broke a 26-26 tie with a game-ending 4-1 run to take the early lead. The Pride took an 11-5 lead in the second game, but the Blue Hens responded with a 12-6 spurt to tie the game at 17-17. The game was still tied at 28-28 when Gibson and LaLonde posted consecutive kills to give Delaware the win.

Hofstra led only 14-13 in the third game, but a 6-0 run put the Pride ahead 20-13 and it cruised to the victory from there. Hofstra then scored the first three points of the fourth game, but Delaware responded with a 17-5 burst to take a 17-8 lead. The Pride closed to within 29-26, but a kill by Colleen Walsh ended the game and sent the match to a fifth game.

Delaware led 5-4 in the deciding game, but Hofstra scored four straight points and did not trail again. A kill by Rivera ended the match and sent the Pride into the tournament championship.

“I’m really proud of our team and our effort, and our will to win was excellent,” Delaware head coach Bonnie Kenny said. “On a whole you can’t ask for a better season. They represented the university in a first class manner.”

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