Photos Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

NEWARK, Del. - The University of Delaware volleyball team clinched a berth in the Colonial Athletic Association playoffs after posting a 3-1 (25-15, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21) victory over Towson on Friday evening at the Bob Carpenter Center.

With the win, Delaware (17-7, 10-2) punched its ticket to the CAA tournament for the fourth straight season. The squad currently holds a half-game-lead over Virginia Commonwealth for the top spot in the conference.

On senior day, the Blue Hens fittingly received some strong performances from the veteran members of the team. Michelle LaLonde (top right) hit a team-best .474 after posting 10 kills against just one error. Fellow fourth-year standout Stephanie Barry (bottom right) also had a nice night, recording a match-high 35 digs.

Four Blue Hens eventually eclipsed the double-digit dig plateau, including Kelly Gibson, who posted 12 during her final regular season performance in Newark. Kim Stewart also recorded 20 to go along with a team-high 15 kills, while Jess Chason picked up a double-double as well, tallying 40 assists and 16 digs.

In the early portion of the match, Delaware took control quickly. The squad captured the first six rallies of the contest and eventually rolled out to a 15-3 lead aided by two kills and a block by Alissa Alker as well as a pair of blasts and an ace from Stewart.

Completely in control of the first set, Delaware only saw Towson (8-19, 1-11) momentarily claw back within double-digits before putting the frame away for good. Back-to-back kills by Alker helped give the squad set-point before Katie Dennehy unloaded a shot to clinch a 25-15 victory.

The second frame was slightly more contentious at the beginning as the two teams battled to a 3-3 tie. After that point, Delaware ripped off five straight, including a block by Alker and Erickson as well as a Barry ace. Later, Towson answered with a four-point streak that brought the visitors back within one at 10-9.

With the set in doubt, Stewart took over. The sophomore standout ripped three kills and teamed with LaLonde on a block to help the squad regain a comfortable lead at 20-16. Unfortunately, after a Towson timeout, the Tigers regrouped. The squad won six of the next seven rallies, including a pair of kills by Shelynne Hoyt, to flip their deficit into a 22-21 lead.

Following a Delaware stoppage, the Blue Hens regained their footing. Back-to-back kills by Dennehy and Stewart helped the team rebound before a Greta Gibboney ace gave the squad set-point at 24-22. Although Towson held off the UD onslaught for one rally, Stewart launched another winner to cap the frame at 25-23.

Riding a nice wave of momentum, Delaware once again came out strong in the third. Two kills each by Alker, Dennehy, and LaLonde helped the squad build an early 13-7 lead heading into a Towson timeout. Later, a pair of blocks by LaLonde and an ace from Chason gave the team a 17-9 advantage.

Staring at a nearly insurmountable deficit, the Tigers fought back. Trailing by nine at 21-12, Towson had an incredible run at the end of the set to grab the momentum. The visitors stole 10 of the next 11 rallies, including three kills by Amanda Halls, to knot the set at 22. Although a blast by Dennehy gave Delaware a slim lead, Towson finished the hosts off with three straight kills to clinch a 25-23 victory.

Back in the match, the Tigers hit the ground running in the fourth and took a 4-1 lead. Despite the early stumble, Delaware responded, picking up three kills by Stewart and another shot by LaLonde to take a 9-5 lead.

After Towson brought the set back within two, the Hens had enough. Two kills by Dennehy and a pair by Erickson highlighted a mid-set surge that gave the squad a nice 22-14 lead. Although the Tigers fought back again, pulling within four at 22-18, their efforts were simply not enough. Alker and Erickson teamed up to stuff a Tiger attack before Dennehy capped the 25-21 victory with a pair of kills to clinch a four-set victory.

Dennehy finished the contest with 11 kills, while Alker chipped in with 10. Erickson also had a match-high four blocks.

Towson was led by Shelynne Hoyt, who had 15 kills and three blocks. Amanda Halls also had 18 digs and 14 blocks for the Tigers.