Volleyball MEAC Media Relations

DSU Drops Two Matches At Missouri State Tourney

Delaware State rallied from a 2-0 deficit to tie the match, but ran out of gas in the final game of a 3-2 loss to Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) at the Missouri State Tournament Friday evening. Earlier in the day, the Hornets lost to Sacramento State 3-0 in their season opener.

In the UMKC contest, Delaware State dropped the first two games 30-25 and 30-26. The Hornets staved off elimination with a 30-28 win in game three, and then tied the match with a 30-25 victory in game four.

Delaware State led 7-4 in the decisive fifth game, but UMKC (1-1) ran off 10 straight points en route to the 15-8 win.

Caitlin Koenig paced the Kangaroos with 40 assists, 10 kills and 10 digs.

Ayana Dyette had another strong performance for the Hornets, recording a game-high 28 kills to go along with eights digs and five blocks. Delaware State’s Laura Huculak led all players with 41 assists, while three Hornets collected more than 20 digs. Kinga Muszynski led the way with 30 digs, while Huculak had 25 and Cassandra Joyner collected 20, each a career high.

Sacramento State swept the Hornets 30-9, 30-19 and 30-27 in DSU’s first match of the season earlier Friday. Jennifer Ferguson led Sacramento State with 13 kills, while Linday Haupt had 11. SSU’s Rose Burke led all players with 26 assists.

Ayana Dyette topped Delaware State with 13 kills, while Laura Huculak had team highs of 16 assists and 12 digs.

In game three, Delaware State opened up a 12-7 lead on a block by C.J. Joyner and Ashley Herman. Sacramento State rallied to tie the game at 16.

Delaware State pulled ahead 22-20 on a service ace by Kinga Muszynski. The Hornets led for the last time 25-24 after a kill by Dyette. Sacramento State scored six of the last eight points, and ended the match on a kill by Ferguson.

Sacramento State had a .250 attack percentage (41-for-100, 16 errors), while DSU posted a .031 percentage (26-for-98, 23 errors). Sacramento State also recorded 10 services aces, compared to three for DSU.

Delaware State will wrap up the tournament with matches against Missouri State and Tulsa on Saturday.