Boxscore

NEWARK, Del. - Led by impressive performances from Yun Yi Zhang and Cayleigh Ashman, Temple downed the University of Delaware volleyball team, 3-0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-14), during a non-conference showdown at Viera Court on Tuesday night.

For the Owls (3-2), Zhang recorded a match-high 19 kills against just two errors, while Ashman added 10 kills on just 17 attempts. Their performances helped Temple post a stellar .365 hitting percentage for the match.

Kim Stewart (at right), the reigning Rookie of the Week in the Colonial Athletic Association, led Delaware (2-5) with seven kills and three blocks. Paige Erickson also had seven kills, while Elena Delle Donne and Michelle LaLonde recorded five apiece.

With the loss, the Blue Hens have now dropped as many matches as they had all of last season when the team went 31-5 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

In the first set, the Owls proved to have the momentum early, jumping out to a 6-2 lead before Delaware called a timeout. The stoppage only momentarily helped as the Hens picked up two quick points before Temple eventually stretched its lead to five at 13-8

Following back-to-back kills by LaLonde and Delle Donne, the Hens pulled within three but could never get any closer. Temple won seven of the next 10 rallies, highlighted by two Owl aces, before Delaware called another timeout trailing by seven at 20-13.

Although Katie Dennehy drilled home a kill and Jess Chason picked up an ace, Zhang proved to be too much as she notched five kills in the final few plays to give Temple a 25-17 victory in the opening set.

The Owls were quick out of the gate in the second set as well, grabbing a 7-2 lead following a six-point run that was energized by two blocks and an ace. Delaware, unfazed by the rally, immediately fought back. A Steph Barry ace and three consecutive kills by Delle Donne, Erickson, and Stewart helped the Hens pull within one at 10-9.

Seven points later, after DelleDonne came back with a block and kill on back-to-back plays, Delaware knotted the match at 13. Still tied at 15, Temple ran off three straight points to grab an 18-15 lead before the Hens called a timeout.

Still trailing by three at 22-19, Delaware regrouped and mounted a late surge. Kills by Delle Donne and Stewart as well as two Owl errors allowed the Hens to retie the match at 23. Feeling the momentum shift, Temple called two timeouts near the end of the set.

The breaks worked in favor of the Owls as the team took the last two points of the frame to post a 25-23 victory.

Following intermission, Temple came out recharged. After the two teams played to a 5-5 tie, the Owls were unstoppable, going on an eight-point roll highlighted by four kills from Zhang and two by Ashman.

Now leading 13-5, Temple had the set and match in hand. Although Delaware refused to go quietly and eventually pulled within four at 17-13 following an Erickson ace, the deficit was simply too much to overcome.

The Owls quickly took eight of the last nine points to post a 25-14 victory and clinch the match in straight sets.

Setter Jess Chason posted her third double-double on the season for Delaware with 22 assists and 10 digs. Steph Barry also led the Hens with 18 digs, but the squad was hurt by 14 attack errors and a .133 hitting percentage.

For Temple, Jackie Morrison recorded a match-high 42 assists, while Ariel Pierre had 25 digs. Ashley Carr also had a strong performance, chipping in with 13 digs and seven kills.

The Blue Hens hope to rebound as they take to the road for their third Tournament this season, travelling to Winston-Salem, North Carolina for the Wake Forest Invitational. Delaware will open action on Friday at 4:30 p.m. when the team takes on East Carolina.