University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens Head South For NC State Hilton Garden Inn Cary Classic
9/3/2015 10:44:00 AM | Volleyball
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The University of Delaware volleyball team will play three matches this weekend as the Blue Hens head south to compete in the NC State Hilton Garden Inn Cary Classic.
UD will face Jacksonville on Friday at 4:30 p.m., Ole Miss Saturday at 10 a.m. and the Wolfpack Saturday at 7 p.m. at Carmichael Gymnasium, NC State's university recreation facility. Live stats will be available for all three matches, but none of the Blue Hens' matches will be live streamed.
Delaware opened its season last weekend with three five-set matches at the UCF Invitational, defeating the host Knights in between falling to Southern Illinois and Northern Colorado.
UD outside hitter Autumn Jenkins led the Blue Hens with 3.93 kills per set at the tournament, while Katie Hillman added 2.87 per set as she surpassed the 1,000 kills mark for her career. Hillman now has 1,024 career kills, moving her into a tie for 16th place on the school list. Alexa Swann contributed 1.93 kills per set and led the team with 15 blocks, while Julia Anderson dished out 9.57 assists per set.
Ariel Shonk served as the Blue Hens' libero all weekend and averaged 5.07 digs per set, as she was the Blue Hens' representative on the all-tournament team. Shonk's 1,417 career digs are good for 10th all-time at Delaware.
Jacksonville won two of three matches at the Auburn War Eagle Invitational last weekend, defeating Samford and Stephen F. Austin while falling to the host Tigers. Emily Laskelle paced the squad with 3.43 kills per set, while Lauren Gresham posted a 3.00 kills average. Mayara Prestes was named the Atlantic Sun Player of the Week after recording 79 digs at the tournament.
Ole Miss is 4-1 on the season with wins over Oral Roberts, Tennessee State, Northwestern State and McNeese State, while the Rebels' lone loss came to UT-Martin. Clair Nakeyta is averaging 3.11 kills per set to lead the team, while Aubrey Edie has posted an 11.37 assist average through the first five matches. Nakeyta was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, while Edie picked up conference Setter of the Week honors.
NC State opened its season by winning all three matches at the South Carolina Tournament last weekend, picking up wins over North Carolina Central, Southeastern Louisiana and the host Gamecocks. Julia Brown posted a team-high 3.11 kills per set for the Wolfpack, while Maggie Speaks handed out 9.44 assists per set.
Delaware has faced Jacksonville one previous meeting, a 3-0 win over the Dolphins in 1995. The Blue Hens defeated Ole Miss in their only prior matchup with the Rebels in 1979, and have dropped both previous meetings to NC State.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Kevin Tritt at: ktritt@udel.edu (email) / 302-831-8715 (office) / 302-383-5005 (cell)
