Blue Hens’ Balanced Attack Leads to 2-0 Day in San Antonio

Friday, September 13

San Antonio, Texas

3 p.m.

University of Delaware

6-1

Niagara University

1-5

Niagara

DELAWARE

Blue Hens’ Balanced Attack Leads to 2-0 Day in San Antonio

9/13/2019 10:41:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Delaware off to best start since 2007

SAN ANTONIO – The Delaware volleyball team saw its role players step up in day one of the UIW Cardinal Classic to earn two victories and move to 7-1 on the young season, its best start in over a decade, defeating Niagara, 3-1, and Incarnate Word, 3-2.

"I am so proud of our team for pulling through at the end," said head coach Sara Matthews. "We put ourselves in some tough situations, but credit their first ball contact that made it tough on us. Our outsides were outstanding for us and it was a great team win to close out the day."

In the opener, the Blue Hens were paced by the attacking duo of senior Maria Bellinger and freshman Lani Mason, each with 14 kills. In the match, Bellinger moved inside the top-10 on the all-time Delaware career kills list.

Reigning CAA Rookie of the Week freshman Ezgi Basaranlar had back-to-back double-doubles, the firsts of her career, putting together 46 assists and 13 digs against the Purple Eagles.

Delaware dominated the first set, 25-10, but dropped the second before bouncing back to close things out in four. Freshman Adelina Rivera had her first double-digit kill performance with 12 against Niagara, hitting .474.

In the night-cap, Delaware cruised to a pair of victories in sets one and two before the Cardinals came charging back to tie things up through four.

Mason had her first 20-kill performance, racking up 24 while Bellinger added 17 and senior Bailey Pearlman added 11 with four aces. Rivera was active again with six kills and nine blocks while Basaranlar's second double-double of the day consisted of 50 assists and 10 digs.

The Blue Hens will make a quick turnaround and take on Northern Illinois at noon for their Cardinal Classic finale Saturday.

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.