University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens Travel South For Three Matches at FGCU Hilton Garden Inn Invitational
9/1/2016 11:38:00 AM | Volleyball
• Tournament Central
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The University of Delaware volleyball team will look to build on its successful start to the 2016 season as the Blue Hens play three matches this weekend at the FGCU Hilton Garden Inn Invitational.
UD will kick off the tournament on Friday against New Orleans at 10 a.m., before facing the host Eagles at 6 p.m. that night. The Blue Hens will then take on VCU on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. to close play at the invitational. Live stats will be available for all three matches, while the contests against FGCU and VCU will be livestreamed.
Delaware carries a perfect 3-0 record into the tournament after capturing the Navy Kristen Dickmann Invitational team title last weekend with straight set victories over Coppin State, New Hampshire and the host Mids. Senior libero Taylor Hollingsworth was named the invitational's Most Valuable Player, and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by senior outside hitter Autumn Jenkins and senior setter Julia Anderson.
Hollingsworth led the defensive effort by averaging 5.56 digs per set and posting match-highs in digs during all three matches, while Anderson handed out 11.67 assists per set. Freshman Maria Bellinger averaged a team-leading 3.50 kills per set, while Daria Robinson added 2.67 kills and Alexa Swann posted an impressive .513 hitting percentage during the tournament.
New Orleans opened its campaign by winning one of three matches at the Redhawks Drury Hotels Invitational, falling to host Southeast Missouri State and Illinois-Chicago while posting a four-set victory over Louisiana Tech. Jordan Yauch averaged 3.18 kills per set for the Privateers, while Sarah Thomas dished out 11.27 assists per set and Blessing Dunn posted a 4.36 digs average.
FGCU also took one of its first three matches last weekend at the Ohio Tournament, falling to Villanova and Western Kentucky while topping the host Bobcats in straight sets. Amanda Carroll is posting 3.80 kills per set for the Eagles, while Ciara Debell adds 2.80 kills and Maggie Rick is averaging 9.10 assists.
VCU kicked off its season with three straight set defeats at Bowling Green's Hampton Inn Invitational, falling to the host Falcons, No. 23 Louisville and Oakland. Alica Kandler led the Rams with 3.67 kills per set at the tournament, while CeCe Madison chipped in with 3.00 kills per set. Tyler Sroufe posted an 8.56 assists average, while Rebekah Strange recorded 5.11 digs per set.
Delaware won its only previous meeting with New Orleans, a 3-1 victory over the Privateers in the 2007 UNO Tournament, while Friday's match with FGCU will be the Blue Hens' first ever matchup with the Eagles. UD leads the all-time series with its former CAA rival VCU, 25-10, while the teams will be meeting for the first time since the Blue Hens' five-set triumph over the Rams in the 2011 CAA championship match.
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The University of Delaware volleyball team will look to build on its successful start to the 2016 season as the Blue Hens play three matches this weekend at the FGCU Hilton Garden Inn Invitational.
UD will kick off the tournament on Friday against New Orleans at 10 a.m., before facing the host Eagles at 6 p.m. that night. The Blue Hens will then take on VCU on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. to close play at the invitational. Live stats will be available for all three matches, while the contests against FGCU and VCU will be livestreamed.
Delaware carries a perfect 3-0 record into the tournament after capturing the Navy Kristen Dickmann Invitational team title last weekend with straight set victories over Coppin State, New Hampshire and the host Mids. Senior libero Taylor Hollingsworth was named the invitational's Most Valuable Player, and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by senior outside hitter Autumn Jenkins and senior setter Julia Anderson.
Hollingsworth led the defensive effort by averaging 5.56 digs per set and posting match-highs in digs during all three matches, while Anderson handed out 11.67 assists per set. Freshman Maria Bellinger averaged a team-leading 3.50 kills per set, while Daria Robinson added 2.67 kills and Alexa Swann posted an impressive .513 hitting percentage during the tournament.
New Orleans opened its campaign by winning one of three matches at the Redhawks Drury Hotels Invitational, falling to host Southeast Missouri State and Illinois-Chicago while posting a four-set victory over Louisiana Tech. Jordan Yauch averaged 3.18 kills per set for the Privateers, while Sarah Thomas dished out 11.27 assists per set and Blessing Dunn posted a 4.36 digs average.
FGCU also took one of its first three matches last weekend at the Ohio Tournament, falling to Villanova and Western Kentucky while topping the host Bobcats in straight sets. Amanda Carroll is posting 3.80 kills per set for the Eagles, while Ciara Debell adds 2.80 kills and Maggie Rick is averaging 9.10 assists.
VCU kicked off its season with three straight set defeats at Bowling Green's Hampton Inn Invitational, falling to the host Falcons, No. 23 Louisville and Oakland. Alica Kandler led the Rams with 3.67 kills per set at the tournament, while CeCe Madison chipped in with 3.00 kills per set. Tyler Sroufe posted an 8.56 assists average, while Rebekah Strange recorded 5.11 digs per set.
Delaware won its only previous meeting with New Orleans, a 3-1 victory over the Privateers in the 2007 UNO Tournament, while Friday's match with FGCU will be the Blue Hens' first ever matchup with the Eagles. UD leads the all-time series with its former CAA rival VCU, 25-10, while the teams will be meeting for the first time since the Blue Hens' five-set triumph over the Rams in the 2011 CAA championship match.
Players Mentioned
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