Blue Hens Clinch Postseason Berth in Five-Set Thriller at Hofstra

Sunday, November 17

Hempstead, N.Y.

1 p.m.

University of Delaware

14-12,6-9CAA

Hofstra University

17-11,10-6CAA

DELAWARE

Hofstra

Blue Hens Clinch Postseason Berth in Five-Set Thriller at Hofstra

11/17/2019 5:07:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Bellinger with a game-high 27 kills to help Delaware reach the postseason for the first time since 2016

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Senior Maria Bellinger hammered home 27 kills to lead all players in a five-set thriller (21-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-22, 15-12) to clinch the Delaware volleyball team's spot in the CAA Tournament over Hofstra Sunday afternoon at Mack Physical Education Center.

"I am so proud of this groups efforts, not just today but all season long," said head coach Sara Matthews. "It was a total team effort and I'm so thrilled we get to keep this group together and get this program back into the postseason."

It was the Blue Hens first win in Hempstead since 2013 and first appearance in the CAA Tournament since the when they were also the No. 6 seed and advanced all the way to the championship match.

It was a competitive opening set as the Blue Hens jumped out to a 4-1 advantage after freshman Ezgi Basaranlar's service ace and Hofstra promptly answered with four straight of their own. It was back-and-forth from there, but the Pride pulled away to a 19-16 lead. Delaware willed its way back into it and after a long rally, Bellinger put one away to make it 22-21 to force the Hofstra timeout.

The Pride would take the opening set, but it was the first time this season Delaware came back to win a CAA match after dropping the opener. Bellinger hit .368 with eight digs and a pair of blocks while Basaranlar had 49 assists, nine digs, three blocks, and matched her season high with four aces.

Delaware fell behind early in the second, 3-0 before scoring nine of the next 11 to jump in front. The run consisted of an ace from both Basaranlar and senior Andie Hanus and Bellinger's kill made it 9-5 in favor of the Blue Hens.

Hofstra scored the next three and after trading blows, the set would be tied for the final time at 15. Bellinger had three kills down the stretch and senior Bailey Pearlman had back-to-back service aces to make it 24-19 to help the Blue Hens tie the match up.

The block was active in the third set with seniors Bailey Pearlman and Cailey Bracken joining redshirt freshman Adelina Rivera for blocks early on, but Hofstra would put Delaware on the brink heading into the fourth set.

Rivera took control of the fourth set, earning a kill to make break the tie and give the Blue Hens a 12-11 lead before adding on three more at the service line to force a timeout. Delaware hit .464 in the fourth and the kill then ace by Pearlman gave the Blue Hens set point and Bellinger forced a fifth set with a kill.

Pearlman went 13-3-26 to hit .385 with three aces and four blocks.

In the fifth, the team's switched sides after freshman Ayala Plummer made it 8-6 in favor of Delaware before a kill and ace by Bellinger and a Rivera kill made it match point at 14-10. Pearlman and Bracken teamed up for the denial to seal it.

The two teams will get to square off again in Hempstead when the CAA Tournament opens up Friday. No. 3 Hofstra and No. 6 Delaware will be the night cap of day one at 7 p.m. at the Mack Physical Education Center. For all details regarding the Championships, click here.

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.