Blue Hens Push Elon to the Brink in Five Set Battle

Saturday, October 12

Elon, N.C.

7 p.m.

University of Delaware

11-5, 3-2CAA

Elon University

9-10, 4-2CAA

Delaware

Elon

10/12/2019 11:32:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Freshman shine and senior experience nearly wills Delaware to big win

ELON, N.C. – The Delaware volleyball team got big performances out of its senior stars and breakout performances from young freshmen, but dropped a five-set heartbreaker (25-21, 21-25, 26-24, 19-25, 13-15) to Elon Saturday night at the Schar Center.

The Blue Hens took control of the first set with a 6-1 outburst late in the frame before senior Maria Bellinger closed it out with one of her 20 kills on the night.

Bellinger added six digs, four blocks and two service aces to go along with her 19^th career match with 20 or more kills.

The Phoenix bounced back to win the second before freshman Lani Mason set the tone in the third with an ace to open things up. Mason had the third double-double of her rookie season with 12 kills and 11 digs, while adding a pair of blocks.

Mason's classmates got going in the third, sparking a 3-0 run late in the set as Lauryn Richardson put one away before Ayala Plummer's kill to make it 18-17 Delaware to force an Elon timeout.

Richardson had the first double-digit kill performance of her young career, going 14-3-24 to hit .458.

Back-to-back Bellinger kills ended the set and gave the Blue Hens a 2-1 match advantage.

Elon needed all of Leah Daniel's 22 kills to pull out the final two sets and steal the match.

Senior Andie Hanus was her reliable self on the defensive end with 31 digs and eight assists while freshman Ezgi Basaranlar had 47 assists with seven digs.
Delaware's road trip concludes Monday evening with a trip to William & Mary with first serve scheduled for 6 p.m.

For the latest on the Delaware volleyball program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareVB and Instagram @delawarevolleyball, and like on Facebook at Delaware Volleyball.