University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hen Volleyball Looks To Continue Winning Streak This Weekend at James Madison, George Mason
10/11/2012 1:41:00 PM | Volleyball
The Blue Hens will take on the Dukes on Friday at 7 p.m. in Sinclair Gymnasium and the Patriots on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the GMU Recreation Athletic Complex.
Delaware, which has won five consecutive matches, enters the weekend with an 8-11 overall record and sits in third place in the CAA standings with a 3-1 league mark. After opening conference play with a loss at Towson the Blue Hens have bounced back to post league wins over Georgia State, UNCW and William & Mary.
Delaware, the two-time CAA defending champion, is currently ranked third in the conference behind Northeastern at 5-0 and Towson at 4-0. UD senior outside hitter Alissa Alker has recorded a team-high 58 kills during the current win streak and leads the Blue Hens with 187 kills on the season, in addition to ranking second on the squad with 205 digs.
Freshman setter Mackenzie Olsen leads Delaware with 631 assists this season, while classmate Ariel Shonk has recorded a team-high 356 digs on the year. Shonk was named CAA Rookie of the Week on Monday, while senior middle hitter Chelsea Lawrence was selected CAA Defensive Player of the Week.
James Madison enters Friday's match with a 9-9 overall record, and the Dukes are 2-2 in the CAA after being swept by Northeastern, 3-0, on Sunday. The Dukes feature three hitters who have surpassed the 150-kill mark this season, including senior outside hitters Natalie Abel and Danielle Erb who have recorded 160 and 207 kills, respectively. Senior setter Megan Wiechmann leads James Madison with 618 assists, while junior defensive specialist Katie Daorai has recorded 254 digs.
George Mason is 4-13 overall and also 2-2 in the conference heading into its home match against Towson on Friday. Junior outside hitter Lana Zonjic leads the Patriots with 213 kills on the season, senior Danielle Cook is adding 117 to go with a team-high 67 blocks, and freshman Lolade Owokoniran has chipped in with 106 kills. Junior Tori Price leads Mason with 504 assists on the year, while freshman Bernetta Moore has posted a team-best 264 digs.
Following this weekend's action the Blue Hens will return home on Wednesday, October 17th to begin a four-match homestand versus Villanova at 7 p.m. at the Bob Carpenter Center.
