University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hen Volleyball Hosts Northeastern, Hofstra This Weekend in Two Crucial CAA Battles
10/18/2012 1:55:00 PM | Volleyball
The Blue Hens enter this weekend with an overall record of 10-12, and sit in third place in the conference standings with a 4-2 league mark. Delaware will be looking to capture its third straight victory after defeating George Mason, 3-2, on Sunday and sweeping Villanova, 3-0, on Wednesday in the first contest of a four-match homestand. The Blue Hens, the two-time CAA defending champions, will look to continue their strong play of late as Delaware has won seven of its last eight matches.
Delaware will be relying on a powerful frontline led by senior outside hitter Alissa Alker, who has posted team-highs of 223 kills and 19 service aces on the season. Opposite her is current CAA Rookie of the Week Katie Hillman, who ranks second on the Blue Hens with 186 kills. Freshman Mackenzie Olsen has recorded 748 assists this season, while fellow rookie Ariel Shonk leads the CAA with 434 digs on the campaign.
Northeastern enters Friday's contest at 17-3 overall, and the Huskies have won nine consecutive matches dating back to September 14. NU is also a perfect 6-0 in the conference, as the Huskies are tied for first place in the league standings along with Towson.
Opponents are hitting just .168 against the Huskies, the lowest opponent hitting percentage in the CAA, while Northeastern ranks second in the league by averaging 13.33 assists per set and 14.38 kills per set this season. Junior outside hitter Kelly Bacon leads the Huskies with 239 kills, while sophomore setter Jillian Briner has collected 390 assists and junior setter Ina Kamenova has recorded 442 assists this season. In the backcourt, sophomore libero Natalia Skiba has posted a team-high 378 digs this season.
Hofstra heads into this weekend's action with a 14-11 overall record, and the Pride is tied for sixth in the conference with a 2-4 league mark. Sophomore outside hitter Kelsie Wills paces Hofstra with 428 kills on the year, while junior Nikkie Kinnier has added 319 kills while leading the Pride with a .233 hitting percentage. Senior setter Catalina Charry has dished out 803 assists during the season while Kylee Maneja, the school's career leader in digs, leads the squad with 381 digs this year.
On Friday, blue Delaware Volleyball t-shirts will be given to the first 250 fans, compliments of the National 5&10. All fans are encouraged to wear Delaware Blue to this match. In addition, Friday is UD Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night, where each UD Faculty/Staff member that wears Delaware Blue to the match can receive up to four $1 tickets by visiting the Delaware Ticket Office in person on gameday. A valid UD Faculty/Staff ID card must be presented to receive the discounted tickets. All families are also invited to purchase the Family Fun Friday package. For $15, the package includes admission for two adults and two youth (17&under) to this match. Family Fun Friday ticket packages must be purchased at least 48 hours in advance.
During Saturday's match, fans who show their ticket stub from the Delaware football game vs. Rhode Island earlier that day to the Delaware Ticket Office upon entry to receive FREE admission to the match. As a part of Girls Night Out, all females will receive $1 admission to the match – discounted tickets will be available on gameday only. Promotions will include a UD spirit bead giveaway to the first 100 females in attendance, raffles for spa packages throughout the night, and exclusive ladies only promotions.
