UBJECT: Blue Hens Volleyball Posts Thrilling Five-Set Comeback Win Over William & Mary
DATE: October 20, 2017
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware volleyball team battled back to win the final two sets as the Blue Hens posted a thrilling five-set victory over William & Mary Friday night at the Bob Carpenter Center.
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Delaware, which improved to 4-15 overall and 2-7 in the Colonial Athletic Association, captured the match by set scores of 25-20, 19-25, 12-25, 25-23, 15-11. William & Mary dropped to 4-19 overall and 1-8 in league play.
Blue Hen outside hitter Maria Bellinger paced Delaware with 19 kills and 11 digs, while Brooke Robertson added a double-double of her own with a season-high 15 kills and 11 digs. Daria Robinson contributed 11 kills and four blocks, while Courtnie Roberts handed out 28 assists and Abby Skryd chipped in with 18 assists and nine digs.
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Maddie Judge led the defensive effort with 13 digs, while Julia Hayes made four blocks on the night.
Kate Dedrick slammed 17 kills for William & Mary, while Sara Zumback finished with a match-high 24 digs.
The Blue Hens took the opening set by five points, but the Tribe answered by claiming the next two sets to take the lead. UD trailed by four points in the fourth set but battled back, eventually putting the set away on a Raven Luckett kill to force the deciding frame.
Delaware jumped out to a 6-1 margin in the fifth set, and after William & Mary pulled within 12-11, the Blue Hens captured the final three points to close out the dramatic win.
HEAD COACH SARA MATTHEWS
“I thought we had a really gritty performance tonight. William & Mary is playing really well right now and statistically they were a lot better than us tonight. The thing I am most proud of is how hard we played in sets four and five. We had some people step in to new roles and do a great job. We are going to enjoy this win and get back to work tomorrow.”
HEN SCRATCHINGS
• Bellinger notched her fifth double-double of the season while Robertson recorded her third
• Robinson reached double figure kills for the third time on the year
• The Blue Hens snapped a seven-match losing streak
• Delaware posted its second five-set victory over William & Mary this season
• UD improved to 3-3 in five-set matches
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Delaware vs. *Elon – Sunday, October 22 (1 p.m.)
Delaware at *Northeastern – Friday, October 27 (7 p.m.)
Delaware at *Hofstra – Sunday, October 29 (1 p.m.)
MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Tritt | ktritt@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8715 | Cell: 302-383-5005
