Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

TOWSON, Md. - The University of Delaware volleyball team opened up its spring season with a strong showing at the Towson Tournament on Saturday afternoon at the Towson Center.

The Blue Hens, who captured their second straight Colonial Athletic Association championship in the fall, faced two other NCAA Tournament teams at the competition, including Penn State which has won the last two national championships.

During the weekend action, Delaware posted 2-0 victories over American, which captured the 2008 Patriot League championship, as well as fellow CAA foe Towson and intrastate rival Delaware State. Then, the Hens fell to the Nittany Lions, 2-0.

Despite playing without perennial All-CAA selection Kelly Gibson, who is rehabbing from a knee injury that sidelined her for the 2008 season, the Blue Hens held tough against the top team in the nation. During the two-set match, Delaware dropped 25-16 and 25-20 decisions to Penn State.

“It was a great experience to play the defending National Champions,” said head coach Bonnie Kenny. “It was a good first competition, and I was very pleased with the progress we have made this spring.”

Delaware will continue its spring season this Saturday when the squad travels to College Park, Md. for the Terrapin Tournament.