PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The University of Delaware Novice Eights boat won its race as the Blue Hen women’s rowing team opened its 2010 spring season Saturday at the Saint Joseph’s quad meet.

The Blue Hens competed against the host Hawks along with La Salle and fellow Colonial Athletic Association member Drexel on the Schuylkill River.

The UD Novice Eights boat of Dianna Levin, Julia Cagney, Alex Smart, Alyssa Hoffman, Lindsey Morris, Bethany Callaway, Sarah Rosenberg, Holly Dodge and Ally Crossman finished in 6:34.1 to defeat Saint Joseph’s, which finished in 6:40.4. The Novice Eights also went undefeated during the 2009 fall season.

“This is a very talented group of novice women, and I expect to see them have much success this year,” sixth-year Blue Hen head coach Laura Slice said.

The Delaware Varsity Eights of Avery Griffin, Meredith Rubin, Darra Finnerty, Regine Adrien (at right), Rachael Conway, Ashley Maguire, Courtney Williams, Lauren Kanaskie and Clare Wardwell finished third overall in its race. The Hawks won the event in 6:10.1, while Drexel was second in 6:11.9, the Blue Hens were third in 6:31.9, and La Salle finished fourth in 6:32.4.

The UD Second Varsity Eights A boat of Marra Green, Liz Cretekos, Lauren Kolsky, Katelyn Huber, Steph Lynch, Erica Morgan, Kristen Endres, Virginia Hall, and Tori Drach was fourth in its race in 6:41.3. The Blue Hen B boat of Hillary Levitz, Laura Wertman, Jamie Hedrick, Valerie Glace, Arielle Farrell, Kaitlin Roehrer, Leanna Colubriale, Elyse Palmer, and Sarah Baillie placed fifth in 6:44.0.

The Saint Joseph’s A boat took the race in 6:31.5, while Drexel was second in 6:32.4 and La Salle placed third in 6:36.9. Both Delaware boats were fourth and fifth respectively, while the Saint Joseph’s B boat came in sixth in 7:06.3.

Due to high winds and driving rain, the Varsity Fours and Novice Fours events were cancelled.

"It was an interesting day on the course with all the wind and rain, but I felt the women handled the conditions very well,” Slice said. “Weather has been a factor that we have been contending with since February's big snows. With limited water time and lineup training I saw a few things that we need to change, but most importantly I saw that we have a lot of potential to be very fast this season. I am looking forward to our scrimmage against Villanova next weekend. We will be working very hard this week to see how much speed we can gain in just one week."

Delaware returns to action with an exhibition against Villanova on March 21.