Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

NEWARK, Del. –Season-ending victories over Liberty and Pittsburgh helped vault the University of Delaware volleyball team into the top-50 in the final Ratings Percentage Index that was released by the NCAA following the conclusion of the national tournament.

Earlier this year, Delaware had climbed as high as 46th in the national poll, but after closing the season strong, the squad ended at 43rd. That marks the highest finish for the Blue Hens in program history and the finest by a team from the Colonial Athletic Association since Hofstra placed 35th in the final poll in 2006.

Along with this year’s high mark, Delaware also finished in the top-100 during two of the last three seasons. The program’s highest finish before this year came in 2007 when the squad ranked 66th in the country after advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Similar to the national rankings, the Blue Hens also finished strong in the regional poll. In the final AVCA/RichKern.com standings, UD ranked fifth in the East Region. Delaware was the highest ranked squad from the CAA throughout the year in both polls.

On top of the team’s season-ending victory over perennial power Pitt, the Hens also had several other key wins during the year. The squad played in 12 matches against top-100 opponents and picked up four victories, including a thrilling five-set win over ACC foe North Carolina at the Bob Carpenter Center.

Not to be overlooked, Delaware also battled five teams that eventually appeared in the NCAA Tournament and posted three victories against squads that earned berths in the 64-team field.

Senior libero Stephanie Barry led Delaware throughout the season, earning first-team All-Conference honors for the third straight year. The conference’s all-time leader in digs, she wrapped up her career with a strong senior campaign that saw her rank second in the league and 25th in the nation with a 5.13 digs-per-set average.

Guided by Barry’s efforts, the Blue Hens eventually finished the season ranked 23rd in the nation in digs-per-set. The squad also ranked among the top-50 teams in the nation in winning percentage and aces-per-set. Delaware’s average of 1.65 aces-per-set was the 23rd best mark in the country, while the team’s .724 winning percentage ranked 44th.

Running the team’s potent offensive attack throughout the season was CAA Setter of the Year Jess Chason. During her second year at the forefront of the Delaware offense, she led the conference with 10.20 assists-per-set, including a league-high 548 assists during league action.

Established outside hitters Katie Dennehy and Kim Stewart also had exceptional seasons as both Hens finished among the conference’s top-10 performers in kills-per-set. Dennehy eventually finished the year ranked fourth in total kills with 352, while Stewart stood seventh with 326.

Equally as successful along the net were middle hitters Michelle LaLonde and Paige Erickson. The two standouts helped the Hens hold their opponents to a .146 hitting percentage, which was the second lowest rate in the CAA. The pair also combined to post 189 blocks during the season, while LaLonde ranked among the conference’s top-10 in hitting percentage and blocking.

The Blue Hens also received another solid season from senior Kelly Gibson, who blasted a team-high 40 aces. Alissa Alker also ranked third on the team with 239 kills, while Greta Gibboney chipped in with 232 digs on the defensive end.

In the final RPI rankings, national runner-up Texas finished first, and two-time defending champion Penn State placed second. Florida State, the highest-ranked team from the AVCA East Region, earned the third-spot in the poll, while Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa State followed closely behind.

Nebraska was the third Big 12 team near the top of the poll after placing seventh overall, while Pacific 10 powers Stanford and California joined Michigan to round out the nation’s top-10 teams.

Going forward, the Blue Hens graduate only three members of the 2009 team. Rising seniors Chason, Dennehy, Erickson, and Gibboney will help guide an experienced unit returning for the 2010 season.

Stewart also headlines the veteran portion of next year’s team after earning All-Conference honors for the second straight year this season. Alker also will be back for her sophomore year after earning a spot on the All-Rookie team following an outstanding freshman campaign.