Boxscore / File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore Paige Erickson blasted 16 kills and hit an incredible .435 during the match to lead the University of Delaware volleyball team into the semifinals of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament with a 3-1 (25-16, 22-25, 25-17, 25-17) victory over Towson on Saturday night at Northeastern’s Solomon Court.

Along with Erickson (at right), Elena Delle Donne helped balance out the Hens’ offensive attack, firing 13 kills on just 28 attempts. Kim Stewart and Katie Dennehy also had nine kills apiece, while Meghan Bonk chipped in with eight. Jess Chason posted her team-leading 14th double-double as well, notching 48 assists to go along with 16 digs.

Having lost two straight matches and five consecutive sets to the Tigers, Delaware (17-15) came out ready to prove that it could hold its own against the local foe. In the early going, both teams were evenly matched with neither squad grabbing more than a two-point edge before finding themselves tied at 10.

With little interest in continuing the seesaw affair, Delaware won the next five rallies, including two lasers by Dennehy. Following a Towson timeout, the sophomore added a third kill before a pair from DelleDonne allowed the Hens to keep a comfortable lead at 18-14.

A rare kill by Steph Barry eventually led the Tigers to call their second timeout, trailing by seven at 22-15. With a commanding advantage, the Hens were unfazed by the break. Delaware utilized a Towson error and kills by Delle Donne and Stewart to clinch the opening-set win at 25-16.

In the second frame, the two squads traded blows early before a Lindsey Neighbors’ ace, sandwiched between two Ally Perko kills, gave Towson a four-point lead at 9-5. Delaware eventually pulled within three at 10-7 after Dennehy made an incredible diving play to keep the rally alive before Bonk fired a shot into the Tiger defense.

Although Towson fought back to capture a six-point advantage at 16-10, Delaware ripped off an 8-4 run to pull within two before Chason posted a block and Dennehy fired a kill to knot the set at 20. After short two-point rallies by both squads, the Tigers had just enough left to close out the frame, winning the final three points to post the 25-22 victory.

Following the mid-match break, Delaware regrouped and returned to its first-set form. Kills by Erickson, Delle Donne, and Bonk combined with three Towson miscues gave Delaware an early 6-3 advantage. Despite a brief Tiger rally that evened the set at six, the Hens had an immediate and impressive answer.

Delaware won five of the next six rallies, including a Barry ace, to pull ahead by four at 11-7. Following a Towson timeout, the Hens continued their roll, using two blocks and a kill by DelleDonne to extend their advantage to eight at 17-9.

After Barry posted her second kill of the match on a well-placed attack, Delaware relied on its usual offensive weapons to close out the set. Two kills each by Dennehy, Delle Donne, and Bonk allowed the Hens to pull away with a 25-17 win.

In the fourth frame, Delaware grabbed a 2-0 advantage and never looked back. Although Towson pulled within one on a handful of occasions, the Hens refused to relinquish their lead. Eventually, Delaware used a 7-3 run, highlighted by a crushing blow from Erickson, to take a 10-5 lead.

Two blocks and a pair of kills by Erickson helped the Hens keep their cushion before two shots by Delle Donne and an ace from Chason led the team into a timeout leading 19-10. With a comfortable advantage, Delaware saw its lead shrink briefly to seven before another ace by Barry and a shot from Erickson clinched the four-set victory at 25-17.

Along with her unexpected offensive contributions, Barry also continued her outstanding defensive efforts. The two-time CAA Defensive Specialist of the Year posted a match-high 24 digs.

Delle Donne also led the way with five blocks, while Stewart, Dennehy, and Greta Gibboney reached double-figures in digs.

Towson was led by Katee Luecke, who had a double-double with 26 assists and 13 digs. Ally Perko also had 11 digs and nine kills.

With the victory, Delaware will now face No. 2 seed Virginia Commonwealth tomorrow at 7 p.m.

In earlier action, Hofstra punched its ticket to the semifinals with a 3-1 victory over William & Mary. Lauren Engle led the way with 16 kills and a .333 hitting percentage, while Harmonie Calinda added 14 digs and 11 kills for the No. 5 seeded Pride. They will face top-seed and host Northeastern at 4 p.m. on Sunday.