University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware Volleyball Drops Season-Opening Match To Host Waves, 3-0, in Pepperdine Asics Classic
8/30/2013 4:31:00 PM | Volleyball
Senior outside hitter Katie Hank led the Blue Hens with six kills during the contest, while sophomore Katie Hillman added five and classmate Chandler Bryant contributed three. Sophomore Mackenzie Olsen (at right) dished out 15 assists for Delaware while fellow sophomore Ariel Shonk, a Preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association selection, led the defensive effort with 11 digs.
Katie Messing recorded 15 kills and hit .382 to lead Pepperdine, which is receiving votes in the Preseason AVCA Coaches Poll. Kellie Woolever handed out 31 assists for the Waves, while Ryann Chandler notched a match-best 21 digs on the night. Pepperdine committed just 10 attack errors while hitting .360 for the match.
Pepperdine came out strong, scoring the first six points of the opening set. After falling behind 11-3 in the early going, the Blue Hens responded to pull within 14-10 on a Hillman kill. However the Waves closed the set with an 11-2 spurt to take the opening stanza.
Pepperdine easily took the second set, recording 12 of the final 13 points while posting the 25-7 margin to take a two-set lead.
The Blue Hens would bounce back early in the third set, taking a 9-7 advantage on a kill by Olsen. Delaware trailed by just one point at 19-18 following a Hank kill, but the Waves answered with six consecutive points to end the match.
“I am disappointed with our performance,” said Blue Hen head coach Bonnie Kenny, who is beginning her 12th season in Newark. “We are not a better team than Pepperdine; however I thought we were better prepared then we showed tonight. Give credit to Pepperdine for their level of energy and play. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully we can compete at a higher level.”
Match Notes:
• Delaware dropped its season-opener for the second consecutive season.
• Pepperdine also won the only previous match between the two schools, a 3-0 victory over the Blue Hens in 2008.
• Delaware's seven points in the second set was its lowest total since the scoring system changed prior to the 2001 season.
• Eleven players saw action for the Blue Hens, including freshmen Megan Blunden, Taylor Hollingsworth and Erin Layne. Blunden started her collegiate debut.
• The Blue Hens continue play at the tournament on Saturday when they face Wisconsin at 3:30 p.m. ET and Iona at 8 p.m. ET.
