Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

WILMINGTON, N.C. - The University of Delaware volleyball team extended its winning streak to nine matches and remained undefeated in Colonial Athletic Association play with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-16) victory over UNC Wilmington on Friday night at Hanover Hall.

Kim Stewart blasted a match-high 11 kills, while Jess Chason added 32 assists for Delaware (13-5, 6-0 CAA). Greta Gibboney (at right) also fired three aces for the Hens.

Since joining the CAA, the Blue Hens had never started league action with a 6-0 record. The nine-match winning streak is also the team’s longest since rolling off 11 straight in 2007.

Early in the first set, the two teams battled to a 5-5 tie, highlighted by an ace from Paige Erickson. After that point, Delaware grabbed eight of the next 11 rallies, including two kills by Stewart and a Gibboney ace, to take a nice 13-8 advantage.

Although UNC Wilmington (10-12, 1-5) fought back, eventually chipping its deficit down to two, the Hens refused to relinquish their lead. A pair of blasts by Alker and a blistering ace from Kelly Gibson helped Delaware grab a 21-15 edge heading into a Seahawk timeout.

Following the break, a kill by Lindsey Stucko momentarily snapped Delaware’s roll, but it was not enough. Erickson ripped a kill and later teamed with Katie Dennehy to post a block that clinched a 25-18 victory in the opener.

The second frame played much like the first as the two teams tussled early before Delaware ran away. Following a brief 2-2 deadlock, the visitors took control. Erickson and Stewart each rocketed a pair of kills in an early surge that eventually saw Delaware take a 13-6 lead.

Refusing to rest on their laurels, the Blue Hens kept the pressure on. After a UNCW timeout, Delaware rolled away with four straight winners, aided by a block and blast from Michelle LaLonde, to grab a double-digit lead at 18-8. Later, an ace by Renee Tomko and a laser by Dennehy helped the squad cruise to a 25-14 victory in the second frame.

With their fifth conference sweep in sight, the Hens came out just as sharp in the third. Although the Seahawks briefly took a 9-8 lead in the middle of the frame, Delaware battled back. Four straight Wilmington miscues, aided by a block from LaLonde and Stewart, allowed the squad to take a 12-9 lead.

Back in control of the set, the Hens turned to Dennehy to put the match away. The reigning CAA Player of the Week teamed with LaLonde on a block and later fired three kills to give the team a commanding 21-15 lead. Later, after Alker and Chelsea Lawrence stuffed a Seahawk attack and LaLonde joined forces with Stewart to send back another attempt, the squad earned set point at 24-16. Gibboney quickly clinched the match, blasting her third ace of the contest to seal a 25-16 win.

Dennehy finished with seven kills, while LaLonde had a team-high five blocks. All-American libero Steph Barry also chipped in with a match-high 15 digs.

The Seahawks were led by Lindsey Stucko, who had nine kills. Keri Hogan and Ashlyn Morris also had 13 digs apiece.

The Blue Hens will look to continue their hot streak when the team travels to Georgia State for a noon showdown with the Panthers on Sunday.