Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

NEWARK, Del. - Behind 10 kills each from Katie Dennehy and Kim Stewart, the University of Delaware volleyball team capped its 2008 home season with an impressive 3-0 (25-18, 27-25, 25-19) victory over UMBC on Tuesday night at Viera Court.

Playing at home for the final time this season, the reigning Colonial Athletic Association Player and Rookie of the Week both sent the Hens out on a high-note. Dennehy fired 10 kills and added one of the team's two aces, while Stewart (at right) recorded her seventh double-double of the season after posting 14 digs and 10 kills.

With the victory, Delaware (16-14) increased its winning streak to four matches. The team has also won nine of its last 10 bouts dating back to October 15.

Although UMBC (16-12) posted two early blocks to start off quickly, Delaware answered with a blazing attack. Two kills each from Dennehy and Stewart helped the Hens pull out to an 11-5 lead. Another pair of Stewart blasts kept the Hens up by six before UMBC called a timeout, trailing 17-11.

The Retrievers eventually orchestrated a short rally that cut their deficit to four at 18-14, but two Delaware blocks and one kill each by Stewart and Paige Erickson helped the team pull away and seal a 25-18 victory.

Delaware started quickly in the second frame as well, grabbing a 12-6 advantage that was capped by a blistering ace from Jess Chason. The convincing lead was only short-lived, however, as a 10-5 Retriever run whittled the Hens’ cushion down to only one at 17-16.

Despite two blocks by Delle Donne and an ace from Dennehy that helped Delaware increase its lead to five at 22-17, UMBC went on a late roll to pull back within one at 23-22.

After seeing the Retrievers fight off two set points, the Blue Hens thought they had clinched the frame following a key rally at 25-24. However, a late block error call forced Delaware back onto the court. The set was only in-question for a moment, though, as back-to-back kills by Stewart and Delle Donne clinched a 27-25 victory and allowed the Hens to walk into the locker-room with a two-set lead.

The third stanza was a close-contest at the outset with Delaware holding only a one-point advantage at 8-7. Following a kill by Dennehy and three UMBC errors, the Hens eventually extended their lead to four at 12-8.

Still holding the same advantage at 16-12, Delaware briefly saw UMBC pull within three before Dennehy and Erickson fired back-to-back kills before the two sophomore standouts combined to stuff a Retriever attack.

With Delaware leading 19-13, Dennehy added two more kills while Delle Donne and Meghan Bonk chipped in with one each to help the team hold its six-point lead and walk away with a 25-19 victory.

Delle Donne continued her impressive performance along the net, posting a team-high six blocks for the Hens. Erickson also chipped in with five, while Chason and Bonk had three apiece.

Steph Barry posted a match-high 21 digs for Delaware, while Chason led the way with 26 assists.

UMBC (16-12) was guided by Sarah Hill, who had seven kills and six blocks. Pam Jarrett also chipped in with 13 digs.

Delaware will conclude its regular season on Saturday when the team travels to Towson to take on the Tigers at 7 p.m.