University of Delaware Volleyball Hangs Tough but Falls to #6 Stanford in Straight Sets, 3-0
August 27, 2011
File Photos Courtesy of Mark Campbell
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HOUSTON - - The University of Delaware volleyball team fell to American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) sixth ranked Stanford, 0-3, on day two of the Rice Nike Invitational on Saturday afternoon. Set scores for the match were 15-25, 22-25, and 21-25.
Playing against the highest ranked team in head coach Bonnie Kenny’s tenure in Newark, Delaware (1-1) had a late lead in game two but Stanford (1-0) held off the Blue Hens on its way to the straight set victory.
Junior Chelsea Lawrence (above right) and sophomore Katie Hank led the Blue Hens offensive, as each tallied seven kills. Lawrence only recorded one error on 15 swings, finishing with a .400 hitting percentage.
Senior setter Renee Tomko ended with 22 assists while senior Kim Stewart led all players on the court with 14 digs.
Lawrence and Tomko were named to the Rice Invitational All-Tournament Team for their performances over the weekend.
The Cardinal, who advanced to the NCAA Volleyball Quarterfinals a season ago, opened its 2011 season against the Blue Hens and proved why the Pac-12 power was voted so high in the preseason national poll.
Tied at 6-6 in the first set, Stanford scored 12 straight points to open up a 17-6 lead. The Blue Hens scored seven of the next eight points to close to within five points, but the Cardinal took the first set 25-15 after recording seven of the next nine points.
Delaware’s best shot came when they held a 21-20 advantage late in game two. The Blue Hens scored six of eight points, forcing Stanford to call a time out when trailing 20-19. Delaware was unable to finish off the set, as the Cardinal powered back to score six of the next eight, including the final four points to claim the set, 25-22.
Stanford jumped out to at quick 5-1 lead in the third set, but found themselves in a dogfight as Delaware fought back to trail 8-9. But The Blue Hens couldn’t get back over the hump as Stanford raced to a 20-12 lead following an 11-3 run.
Delaware didn’t lie down however, as they stormed back with 10 of the next 13 points to close the gap to 21-23. But Stanford wouldn’t allow Delaware to get any closer, closing out the set, and the match with the final two points.
The Cardinal were led by Rachel Williams who tallied a match high 13 kills, while Carly Wopat added 10 kills, as the only two players to reach double figures on the afternoon.
Karissa Cook finished with 32 helpers while Hannah Benjamin collected a team high 11 digs.
The Blue Hens return to Newark for their home opener on Tuesday. They welcome another Pac-12 opponent into Viera Court, as Oregon returns for a 2008 rematch. Oregon received voted in the AVCA preseason poll.
AGATE:
#6 Stanford def. Delaware 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-21)
Delaware (kills-assists-digs): Hank (7-0-3); Tomko (0-22-7); Stewart (3-0-14); Alker (5-1-10); Lawrence (7-0-1); Evans (4-0-3); Rosehill (0-1-11); Walton (0-0-3); Sebastian (0-0-0).
Stanford: Wopat, Carly (10-0-8); Williams (13-1-8); Walker (5-0-2); Gilbert (0-2-8); Cook (4-32-9); Spelman (3-0-0); Bai (4-0-2); Benjamin (0-1-11); Luck (0-2-7); Wopat, Sam (2-1-0); Browne (0-0-0); Sebastian (0-0-0)
Total Team Blocks: Delaware – 4; Stanford – 13.5
2011 Rice Invitational All-Tournament Team:
Karissa Cook, Stanford - MVP
Carly Wopat, Stanford
Rachel Williams, Stanford
Chelsea Lawrence, Delaware
Renee Tomko, Delaware
Jillian Humphrey, Rice
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