File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

CHARLESTON, S.C. - The University of Delaware volleyball team got back to its winning ways with a dominating 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-18) victory over Gardner-Webb to open up play in the College of Charleston Tournament at John Kresse Arena on Friday night.

Sophomore setter Jess Chason (at right) posted a match-high 30 assists and also added 12 digs to help lead Delaware (3-8) to an impressive victory over Gardner-Webb (2-9). Katie Dennehy also had 12 kills, while Paige Erickson added eight on just 14 attack attempts.

In snapping their five-match skid, the Blue Hens posted a .264 hitting percentage, besting the Running’ Bulldogs -.038 mark. Delaware notched 40 kills against just 11 errors and used nine aces to run away with the victory.

Gardner-Webb held tough in the early going, grabbing a 9-7 lead during the first set. Despite the deficit, Delaware answered quickly with six straight points, including three kills by Dennehy, to grab a 13-9 advantage.

Following a Bulldog timeout, Gardner-Webb broke the Hens’ streak with a point before Delaware took off on one of its finest runs of the season. Led by the strong serving of Chason as well as two kills and a block by Elena Delle Donne, Delaware reeled off eight straight points to take a commanding lead at 20-10.

Although the two teams split the last 10 points of the match, DelleDonne and Meghan Bonk teamed up to stuff a Bulldog attack attempt and seal the first set victory at 25-15.

Riding a wave of momentum, the Blue Hens never let Gardner-Webb compete in the second frame. Delaware took an 11-3 lead in the early going after Steph Barry fired two aces, while Dennehy and Kim Stewart each posted a pair of kills.

The Bulldogs pieced together a short rally of their own, knocking their deficit down to six at 12-6. Despite the surge, Delaware refused to let Gardner-Webb back into the game. After taking 10 of the next 11 rallies, including three more kills by Dennehy, the Hens grabbed a 22-7 lead.

Once again, the Bulldogs held tough at the end of the match but simply could not overcome the large deficit. Although Gardner-Webb captured six of the last nine points, a kill by DelleDonne iced the set at 25-13.

Following the mid-match intermission, Delaware came out reinvigorated. Two early kills by Bonk and Erickson followed by back-to-back kills by Delle Donne helped give the Hens an early 11-6 lead.

Gardner-Webb quickly fought back. Behind a strong rally in the middle of the set, the Bulldogs pulled within one at 14-13.

Despite their opponent’s resurgence, the Blue Hens refused to back down. Stewart fired back-to-back kills into the Gardner-Webb defense to give the team a three-point lead. Delaware eventually stretched its advantage to seven at 21-14 and held on to that lead on the way to a 25-18 victory.

Seeing an increased roll with the absence of Michelle LaLonde for the fourth-straight match, DelleDonne finished with seven kills and five blocks. Stewart also chipped in with 12 digs, six kills, and three aces.

Gardner-Webb was led by Laura Wilcox, who had eight kills and two blocks. Katie Matykowski also posted a match-high 13 digs, while Regina Feagin had 17 assists.

The Blue Hens will look to stay on track as the team battles Duke and the College of Charleston during a Saturday doubleheader to wrap up the Tournament. Delaware takes on the Blue Devils at 11 a.m. before battling the host Cougars at 7:30.