Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

NEWARK, Del. – After posting a pair of victories over the weekend, the University of Delaware volleyball team jumped four spots in the national RPI rankings and remained in fifth place in the RichKern.com/AVCA regional standings for the second straight week.

Riding a 10-match winning streak, which stands as the team’s longest since 2007, the Blue Hens improved to 46th in the national ratings percentage index. Last week, the squad was ranked 50th in the same poll.

Overall, Delaware is the highest ranked team from the Colonial Athletic Association in both the national and regional polls.

With recent victories over UNC Wilmington and Georgia State, the squad also improved its record in CAA action to a perfect 7-0, which ties the program’s best all-time start in league play. The 1995 team also won its first seven matches in the North Atlantic Conference.

Delaware is led by a strong offensive attack paced by setter Jess Chason and hitters Alissa Alker, Katie Dennehy, and Kim Stewart. Chason, the reigning CAA Co-Offensive Player of the Week, stands at the top of the league with a 10.10 assists-per-set average.

Dennehy and Stewart also rank among the conference’s top-10 players in kills-per-set, while Alker has proven to be one of the top freshmen in the league.

The Blue Hens have also been aided by a strong defensive effort, highlighted by All-American libero Steph Barry and highly-touted middle hitters Paige Erickson (above) and Michelle LaLonde. Guided by their efforts, the squad currently ranks second in the league in both digs and opponent’s hitting percentage. Delaware has also held its conference foes to a league-low .105 hitting percentage during CAA play.

On an individual level, Barry is second in the league averaging 4.70 digs-per-set, while Erickson and LaLonde rank among the top-10 in blocking during conference action.

In the RichKern rankings, the Seminoles hold the top spot in the Eastern Region and are followed closely by fellow Atlantic Coast Conference powers Duke, Virginia Tech, and Miami (FL). After Delaware in fifth place, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Clemson, George Mason, and VCU round out the top-10.

In the national RPI, Texas currently holds the top spot, while Florida State ranks second. Penn State, Illinois, and Washington round out the top-five.

Of Delaware’s five losses this season, four have come against teams ranked in the RPI’s top-50, including Ohio who currently stands 20th in the nation. UC Santa Barbara and Missouri State also rank among the best in the nation and are currently receiving votes in the AVCA Top-25 Coaches Poll.

The Blue Hens will return to action on Friday when the squad travels to James Madison for a 7 p.m. match with the Dukes.

AGATE:

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