Boxscore

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The University of Delaware volleyball team opened up play in the Wake Forest Black & Gold Challenge by dropping its first match of the tournament to East Carolina, 3-0 (25-17, 28-26, 25-23), at the Reynolds Gym on Friday.

Although the Blue Hens (2-6) received 11 kills from Katie Dennehy and a career-high eight from freshman Meghan Bonk (at right), the team was unable to overcome a .081 hitting percentage and 22 attack errors.

Delaware played without star middle hitter Michelle LaLonde, who had appeared in 66 consecutive matches before this weekend. The team's junior captain was sidelined with an Achilles injury prior to the contest and will miss the remainder of the tournament.

In the first set, East Carolina (8-2) came out on fire as Amanda Lutzow ripped three kills into the Delaware defense to help the Pirates grab an early 10-5 lead. Following a Blue Hen timeout, ECU remained hot, stretching its lead to 15-7.

Despite an incredible effort by Dennehy that saw the sophomore outside hitter post four kills, an ace, and a block in the final moments of the frame, Delaware could never pull close enough to mount a comeback. Although the team did whittle its deficit down to six, the Hens eventually fell, 25-17.

Trailing by a set, Delaware seemed poised to answer in the second game after jumping out to a 6-1 lead following two early kills by Bonk and an ace from Steph Barry. Unable to put the set away early, though, the Blue Hens watched as East Carolina posted five of the next six points to pull within one at 7-6.

Delaware regained a three-point advantage at 9-6 when Kim Stewart notched an ace and Paige Erickson teamed with Jess Chason to stuff an ECU attack attempt. After the Pirates fought back to tie the set at 10, the two teams kept the game deadlocked until 14-14 when East Carolina took off on another run. Eventually, the squad grabbed a five-point lead at 21-16 after Melissa Zentner posted blocks on consecutive plays.

A Delaware timeout and back-to-back kills by Dennehy quickly snapped the Pirate streak and brought Delaware within three at 22-19. Three points later, after another Dennehy kill and two ECU errors, the Hens pulled even at 22.

Three rallies later, Delaware held set point at 24-23 but was unable to convert after a kill by Stephanie Turner retied the game. East Carolina eventually staved off another Delaware set point before tying the frame at 25. Still tied two points later, the Pirates won the last two rallies of the set to post a 28-26 victory.

In the third frame, East Carolina grabbed an early four-point lead at 7-3 before Delaware fought back, refusing to go down easily. After winning four-straight rallies, highlighted by three ECU errors and a kill by Erickson, the Blue Hens found themselves back in the set with the score tied at seven.

Still tied at 12, the Pirates took the next three points and eventually extended their lead to four at 19-15. Three straight errors by East Carolina quickly pulled the Hens within one, and after a Pirate point, Erickson notched a kill and ECU committed another miscue to knot the set at 20.

Unfortunately, Delaware could never quite pull ahead despite two late kills by Dennehy. East Carolina closed out the set on a 5-3 run to seal the match with a 25-23 victory.

Barry led Delaware with 13 digs, while Greta Gibboney and Kim Stewart chipped in with nine and eight, respectively. Elena Delle Donne, who started as a middle hitter in place of LaLonde, posted a team-high three blocks as well.

Amanda Lutzow was the top performer for the Pirates, notching a match-high 13 kills. Melissa Zentner also had 11 kills, while Hannah Fenker had 35 assists.

The Hens will look to rebound during a doubleheader on Saturday. Delaware will take on Western Michigan at 10 a.m. before battling Wake Forest at 7 p.m to close out the invitational.