Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

NEWARK, Del. – After winning three matches last week to extend their streak to eight in a row, the University of Delaware volleyball team earned significant recognition in the NCAA Ratings Percentage Index and regional RichKern.com/American Volleyball Coaches Association rankings this week.

In the initial RPI rankings, the Blue Hens were slotted at No. 50 in the nation. The squad also was selected as the fifth best team in the East Region in the most recent RichKern.com/AVCA poll, marking a two-spot jump from last week.

In both polls, Delaware was the highest ranked team from the Colonial Athletic Association.

Last week, Delaware extended its winning streak to eight matches with victories over Villanova, Hofstra, and Northeastern. The squad posted a 3-1 win over the Wildcats before topping the Pride and Huskies in a pair of CAA matches over the weekend.

The Blue Hens are led by junior setter Jess Chason, who stands atop the conference with a 9.87 assists-per-set average. Senior libero Steph Barry also ranks second in the league with a 4.62 digs-per-set average, while Katie Dennehy, the reigning CAA Player of the Week, is second with a rate of 3.29 kills-per-set.

Kelly Gibson also ranks sixth in the CAA, averaging 0.37 aces-per-frame. Michelle LaLonde (above) ranks as one of the top blockers in the conference as well, averaging 0.88 blocks-per-set.

In the Rich Kern rankings, Florida State is ranked first in the East and stands second in the country. The Seminoles are followed by fellow ACC powers Duke, Georgia Tech, and Miami (FL). After Delaware, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Clemson, George Mason, and VCU round out the top-10.

In the RPI, Delaware is one of three teams from the CAA to earn a top-100 ranking. George Mason currently sits at 85, while VCU stands at 93.

Delaware will be back in action on Friday when the squad travels to UNC Wilmington to take on the Seahawks at 7 p.m.

AGATE:

2009 RichKern.com/AVCA Regional Rankings - East Division (October 13): 1. Florida State; 2. Duke; 3. Georgia Tech; 4. Miami (FL); 5. Delaware; 6. Virginia Tech; 7. North Carolina; 8. Clemson; 9. George Mason; 10. VCU; 11. Virginia; 12. Winthrop; 13. Wake Forest; 14. Liberty; 15. William & Mary; 16. Florida A&M; 17. Northeastern; 18. Boston College; 19. Coastal Carolina; 20. Georgia State.