Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

ATLANTA, Ga. - he University of Delaware volleyball team captured its 10th straight victory with a 3-1 (25-16, 21-25, 25-19, 25-20) win over Georgia State during a Colonial Athletic Association clash at the GSU Sports Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Three Blue Hens posted double-digit kill totals, including Michelle LaLonde (at right) who had 13 and hit a phenomenal .458. Kim Stewart also blasted a match-high 17 kills, while Katie Dennehy chipped in with 14.

As a team, Delaware (14-5, 7-0 CAA) hit .267 and was assisted by a strong performance from setter Jess Chason. The junior standout recorded 53 assists and also added 16 digs for her fifth double-double of the season.

Early in the first set, the Blue Hens proved to be the aggressor, jumping out to a quick 10-5 advantage. Two kills each by Stewart and Alissa Alker, aided by an ace from Paige Erickson, gave the squad the five-point lead heading into a timeout by Georgia State (15-7, 3-4).

Following the stoppage, Delaware kept the pressure on, picking up back-to-back blasts from Alker and Erickson to help the squad pad its lead. After another GSU break, Dennehy took over to cap off the 25-16 victory. The junior standout fired three late kills and teamed with LaLonde for a block to set up a shot by Alker that clinched the opening-set win.

Unfazed by their early deficit, the Panthers responded in the second. Although Alker had three quick kills and Dennehy chipped in with two more, the squad could not quite keep up with Georgia State. The hosts eventually pulled out to a 16-13 advantage heading into a Delaware timeout.

Although a shot by Stewart and an ace from Steph Barry pulled the Hens within one, the team could not completely overcome its deficit. Another late surge by Delaware, highlighted by back-to-back kills from Stewart and another Erickson ace, forced Georgia State to call a timeout at 23-21. Unfortunately, the Panthers regrouped in the break. Ashley Jones came out with a kill before Muki Kanegawa launched an ace to knot the match at one set apiece.

With the contest even at one heading into the mid-match break, it seemed almost fitting that the early part of the third frame was a back-and-forth battle. The two squads traded rallies, including consecutive aces by Steph Barry, on the way to a 9-9 tie.

Still tied two rallies later, Delaware briefly pulled away. A kill by Erickson and an ace from Kelly Gibson helped the squad eventually take a 13-10 lead. Although the Panthers came back to retie the set at 15, the Hens took control with a late six-point run. Two kills by Dennehy and a pair of aces from Stewart allowed the squad to take a 21-15 lead.

Later, blasts from LaLonde and Dennehy, coupled with another Barry ace and a Panther miscue, led Delaware to a 25-19 victory.

Similar to the third frame, the fourth set was a close contest from the start. Although GSU pulled away with a modest 4-1 lead, Delaware answered. Kills by Erickson and Stewart, along with a slew of Panther errors, allowed the squad to knot the set at six.

Later, a shot by LaLonde and two straight from Stewart gave the Hens their first lead since the opening rally at 9-8. Following a Georgia State timeout, neither squad could gain a foothold in the set as the teams matched each other shot-for-shot. LaLonde headlined the Delaware effort in the middle of the frame, posting three kills and a block to keep the set tied until 18-18.

Finally, with the set on the line, the Hens pulled away in the waning moments of the match. Dennehy fired a kill and Chason ripped an ace to help give the team a 21-18 lead. Although the squad’s momentum was briefly interrupted, Delaware regrouped. Dennehy launched another kill and Stewart fired a pair to close out a 25-20 victory.

Along with the team’s outstanding offensive performance, Delaware had an excellent showing by the defense as well. Five Blue Hens recorded at least 10 digs, including Barry’s team-high 23. Chason, Stewart, Gibson, and Greta Gibboney also had double-digit dig totals.

Erickson and Dennehy also led Delaware with four blocks apiece, while LaLonde added three.

Georgia State was led by Ashley Jones, who just barely missed out on a triple-double. She finished the match with 15 kills, 12 assists, and nine digs. Chelsea Perry also had 27 assists for the Panthers.

Delaware will return to action on Friday when the team travels to James Madison for a 7 p.m. clash with the Dukes.