Blue Hens’ Season Closes with Four-Set Loss in CAA Semifinal

Saturday, November 23

Hempstead, N.Y.

5 p.m.

University of Delaware

15-14,6-10CAA

#2 James Madison University

20-7,13-3CAA

DELAWARE

James Madison

Blue Hens’ Season Closes with Four-Set Loss in CAA Semifinal

11/23/2019 8:40:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Delaware posts best winning percentage since 2012

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Delaware volleyball team saw its season come to a close Saturday night in four sets (16-25, 19-25, 26-24, 15-25) in the CAA Semifinal, falling to JMU at Mack Physical Education Center.

"I am so proud of this group and their fight all season long, through the final point tonight," said head coach Sara Matthews. "Our seniors set a standard for this program and I am grateful for their dedication to our program."

The Blue Hens close their season with a 15-14 record for the program's best winning percentage since 2012.

Senior Maria Bellinger led all players with a double-double that consisted of a match-high 29 kills and 10 digs, hitting .385 and finishes her career with 1,639 kills to land second in program history in career kills and 9^th in the CAA's history.

Delaware put itself in a familiar position after dropping the first two sets and set the table for another comeback. There were flashes of déjà vu in the third when the Blue Hens came storming back with a 6-0 run and took a 9-2 advantage when senior Bailey Pearlman put away a big swing.

The Dukes answered and took a 23-21 lead before the Blue Hens scored five of the set's final six points highlighted by an ace from senior Andie Hanus and a denial from Bellinger and redshirt freshman Adelina Rivera.

Hanus closed her career with a match-high 19 digs, three assists, and two aces while Pearlman had nine kills.

Freshman Lani Mason got off to a quick start, scoring Delaware's first four points of the night, all via the kill and finished with 11 putaways and three digs.

This was Matthews' first postseason appearance as a head coach and gave the program its first CAA Tournament win since the 2016 season.

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.