University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hen Volleyball Wraps Up 2012 Regular Season This Weekend With Home Matches vs. William & Mary, UNCW
11/8/2012 2:46:00 PM | Volleyball
Delaware enters its final regular season weekend with an overall record of 13-13, and the Blue Hens are currently third in the Colonial Athletic Association with a 7-3 league mark. Delaware has already clinched a berth in next weekend's CAA Tournament which will be held at Towson, and can climb as high as second in the league standings. Delaware has been led all season by senior outside hitter and team captain Alissa Alker, who leads the squad with 284 kills and ranks second with 307 digs. Alker's 1,294 career kills are good for sixth all-time in Delaware volleyball history, while this year she ranks among the CAA leaders in points, kills, service aces, and digs.
Senior middle hitter and fellow captain Chelsea Lawrence has been impressive of late, as she has reached double figures in kills during four consecutive matches. Lawrence has also recorded a team-high 88 blocks on the year, while freshman libero Ariel Shonk has dug-out a conference-high 530 balls this season.
William & Mary enters Friday's match with an overall record of 13-11 including a 5-5 conference mark, and the Tribe has also already clinch a spot in the CAA Tournament. Sophomore outside hitter Paulette Grand Pre leads the Tribe with 204 kills on the season, while senior setter Molly Krull has posted a team-high 568 assists on the year. Devin Andrews-Lyssy, a sophomore defensive specialist, has recorded a team-best 274 digs on the season.
UNCW heads into the weekend with at 11-15 overall, and the Seahawks are 3-7 in conference play. Junior opposite hitter Christi Laite leads the Seahawks with 266 kills, while sophomore outside hitter Morgan Kline is second on the squad with 250 kills. The Seahawks run a two-setter system with senior Natalie Lahaie, who has recorded a team-high 521 assists this year, as well as freshman Victoria Phillips, who has handed out 420 assists.
After this weekend's matches Delaware will compete in the CAA Tournament, which will take place on November 16-18 and will feature the conference's top six teams. Delaware cannot enter the tournament lower than the fourth seed, and cannot be higher than the second seed.
On Friday, the first 500 fans to the Bob Carpenter Center will receive part three of the four-part trading card set featuring Katie Hillman, Chandler Bryant, and Karina Evans. Following the match, the 11th-ranked UD women's basketball team will open its season when the Blue Hens face Sam Houston State in the first round of the Preseason WNIT at 8 p.m. Any fan that purchases a ticket to the Preseason WNIT game will receive a free ticket to the volleyball match on Friday. Doors will open at 3 p.m. for the match.
The squad will be hosting a bone marrow drive prior to Saturday's match from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event is for the Be The Match registry, and those willing to get their cheek swabbed will receive a free ticket to the Delaware men's basketball home game versus Rider on December 3. Additionally, Saturday evening is Fan Appreciation Night, where fans can purchase tickets to the evening's match for just $5. Delaware seniors Alissa Alker, Chelsea Lawrence and Logan Sebastian (at right) will be honored during a Senior Night ceremony before the start of the match as well.
