NEWARK, DE -- The University of Delaware volleyball team was honored as one of the five best defensive units in the country as selected by Collegiate Volleyball Update.

The list was compiled using a formula that includes a team's blocks, digs, service reception errors, and opponent's hitting percentage. Along with Delaware, Milwaukee, Creighton, and Chattanooga earned honorable mention honors while Wichita State was named the National Defensive Team of the Year.

Sophomore libero Stephanie Barry helped pace the Hens, earning Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Specialist of the Year honors. She finished the season with a 6.39 digs-per-game average, which not only set a new single-season program record but also ranked fourth nationally in 2007.

As a team, the Hens ranked 11th in the country in digs-per-game with a 19.75 average. Kelly Gibson finished second on the team with 411 digs, while Megan Welch and Greta Gibboney also notched more than 250 digs apiece.

The team also handled serves well, combining for a .944 reception percentage. Gibboney led the team with a .959 mark, while she was followed closely by Barry and Jess Chason, who both eclipsed .950. No player on the team with more than 100 receptions had a percentage lower than .888.

Delaware's domination along the net was aided by an influx of talented freshmen led by Paige Erickson and Katie Dennehy (above - Erickson in front, Dennehy in back), who finished first and third on the team in total blocks respectively. Erickson broke the program record for blocks by a freshman with 144, while Dennehy added 82.

Sophomore standout Michelle LaLonde also continued her stellar play, notching 116 blocks, including a team-high 28 solo stops. Her career 0.89 blocks-per-game average is currently the fifth highest in program history.

In an all-around solid effort, Colleen Walsh also added 72 blocks for the Hens, while Welch, Gibson, and Molly Rand all had at least 30 during the season.

Because of the team's considerable success in all facets of the game defensively, Delaware held its opponents to a miniscule .139 attack percentage, easily the best in the conference.

Combining their success defensively with their strong performance on the offensive side of the ball, the Hens recorded a 31-5 record, won their first ever CAA Championship, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.