Bellinger Climbs UD Record Book in Loss to Northeastern

Friday, November 15

Boston, Mass.

7 p.m.

University of Delaware

13-13, 5-10CAA

Northeastern University

15-12, 9-6CAA

Delaware

Northeastern

Photo by: Mark Campbell

Bellinger Climbs UD Record Book in Loss to Northeastern

11/15/2019 9:11:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Senior Maria Bellinger moves into second place on the career kills list

BOSTON – Senior Maria Bellinger led the Delaware volleyball team with 11 kills to move into second place in program history for career kills Friday night as the Blue Hens fell in straight sets (23-25, 22-25, 22-25) to Northeastern at the Cabot Center.

Bellinger overtook third place on the Delaware career kills list in the first set, replacing Karen Kunselman '96, before picking up kill no. 10 on the night in set three to take second to leap Katie Dennehy '10. She now has 1,562 kills during her time in Blue and Gold.

The Blue Hens got off to a fast start, jumping out to an 8-2 lead in the first set before a Northeastern timeout after three unanswered and a freshman Lani Mason service ace. The Huskies found their footing and would eventually tie the set at 15 before taking control. It was an extremely efficient opener with each side hitting in the .370s to start the match.

Again, Delaware got out to an early lead in the second when redshirt freshman Adelina Rivera's kill sparked a 3-0 run, but Northeastern would answer with three unanswered of its own.

Down 14-11 in the third set and after a timeout, Delaware was able to storm back and tie the match at 15 and three additional times before the Huskies pulled out another close frame.

The Blue Hen middles were effective as Rivera hit seven kills on 13 swings with three blocks while freshman Ayala Plummer hit .500 with eight kills on 12 swings and three more rejections.

Freshman Ezgi Basaranlar assisted on 33 of Delaware's 38 kills while adding a match-high five blocks and senior Andie Hanus had 17 kills and an ace.

Delaware still controls its own destiny and will take on Hofstra Sunday at 1 p.m. A win or a UNCW loss will secure the Blue Hens a spot in the CAA Tournament.

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.