Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

NEWARK, Del. – After clinching a spot in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament last week, the University of Delaware volleyball team remained highly ranked in both the national Ratings Percentage Index and the regional RichKern.com/American Volleyball Coaches Association polls.

Heading into the final week of the regular season, the Blue Hens are ranked 54th in the RPI and sixth in the Eastern regional rankings. Delaware (17-7) is the highest ranked team from the Colonial Athletic Association in both polls.

Last weekend, the squad clinched a spot in the CAA Tournament for the fourth straight year after defeating Towson, 3-1. With the victory, the Blue Hens are now in a dead-heat for the regular season conference title with VCU as the two teams enter the final weekend with matching 10-2 records.

Stephanie Barry, the reigning CAA Defensive Player of the Week, ranks second in the conference with a 4.98 digs-per-set average. A two-time All-American, she also is one of only two players in the league to post three 30-dig performances, including her most recent one that came against Towson on Friday.

The Blue Hens have also been aided by Jess Chason’s strong junior campaign. The team’s standout setter is currently the league leader in assists, averaging 10.01-per-set. Kelly Gibson is also fourth in the league in aces, while Katie Dennehy and Kim Stewart rank fifth and ninth in kills, respectively.

Co-Captain Michelle LaLonde has also pieced together a strong senior season as she currently stands ninth in the CAA in blocking and 10th in hitting percentage. Her .299 hitting percentage in league matches also ranks as the fourth finest mark in the conference.

In the national RPI, Texas was the highest-ranked team for the fourth straight week. Penn State placed second, while Florida State, Illinois, and Washington rounded out the top-five.

In the regional poll, the Seminoles retained the top spot and were closely followed by fellow Atlantic Coast Conference members Duke, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, and Miami (FL).

Delaware will return to action on Friday when the team travels to Boston for a 5 p.m. bout with Northeastern.

AGATE:

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