University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
UMBC
University of Delaware Volleyball Holds On For Dramatic 3-2 Victory Over UMBC at Radisson Cross Keys Greyhound Challenge
9/6/2013 8:54:00 PM | Volleyball
BALTIMORE, Md. -- Blue Hen sophomore Katie Hillman set a career-high with 28 kills, including her final one that ended the match, as the University of Delaware volleyball team held on for a thrilling 3-2 victory over UMBC Friday afternoon at Reitz Arena in the first match of the Radisson Cross Keys Greyhound Challenge hosted by Loyola (Md.).
Delaware took the match by set scores of 25-17, 25-19, 17-25, 29-31, 15-12 as the Blue Hens (1-3) moved into the win column for the first time this season. UMBC dropped to 1-3 on the young campaign.
Hillman, whose previous career-high was 20 kills, blasted 28 to go with a career-high tying 11 digs as she posted her second career double-double. Senior Katie Hank added 11 kills on the afternoon, while Chandler Bryant and Megan Blunden contributed 10 apiece. Sophomore Mackenzie Olsen handed out 55 assists for the Blue Hens while adding 16 digs, while fellow sophomore Ariel Shonk contributed 25 digs. Redshirt sophomore and team co-captain Jill Meyers also played a significant role, chipping in with seven kills and a career-high nine blocks.
Krystal Mlemchukwu led the Retrievers with 16 kills, while Ali Goc added 13 and Casey Griffth made 25 digs.
“I'm proud of our team for hanging tough when it was not easy,” said 12th-year Delaware head coach Bonnie Kenny. “We served and passed much better, which was the difference in our play. I was really proud of Jill Meyers for making adjustments throughout the match. It was a good team effort and win! Ariel Shonk was stellar in the backcourt as well.”
Delaware came out strong during the opening set, jumping out to an 8-0 advantage and leading by at least four points the entire way. The Retrievers eventually pulled within 21-17 but the Blue Hens responded with four straight points, clinching the set on a kill by Hank.
Early in the second set UD used a quick four-point sput to go in front 6-2, and did not trail from there. The lead grew to as much as eight at 22-14, and after the Retrievers recorded four consecutive points, the Blue Hens took three of the final four points to take a two-set advantage.
The teams remained close early in the third set, before UMBC won four consecutive points to ease ahead 14-8. The Blue Hens would not get closer than five from there as the Retrievers got on the board.
Delaware looked to be headed for victory during the fourth set when the Blue Hens used a five-point run to pull ahead, 20-15. UD had three match points up 24-21, but UMBC battled back and eventually took the stanza 31-29 to force the deciding fifth set.
However Delaware would regroup, breaking a 7-7 deadlock with two consecutive points and never relinquishing the lead from there. UD was up a single point at 13-12, but Bryant and Hillman each posted kills off Olsen assists to give the Blue Hens the dramatic victory.
Match Notes:
• Five Blue Hens set their season-highs in kills: Hillman, Bryant, Hank, Meyers and Megan Blunden
• Blunden had just one kill during the team's opening weekend before posting 10 on Friday
• Hillman's 28 kills were the most by a Blue Hen since Hank had 31 at Pitt on Sept. 17, 2011
• Olsen's 55 assists tied for the third most in her career
• Shonk reached the 25-dig mark for the ninth time in her career
• Freshman Taylor Hollingsworth ranked third on the team with 11 digs, the highest total of her young career
• Delaware improved to 24-7 against UMBC and defeated the Retrievers for the fourth consecutive match
• The Blue Hens continue play at the tournament on Saturday when they face La Salle at 11:30 a.m. and Loyola (Md.) at 7 p.m.
