Junior Cassandra Joyner had her best overall day of the season as she finished with a season-high 22 kills and a season-high 21 digs for her fourth double-double of the season, as Delaware State battled to a 3-2 (25-21, 21-25, 25-19, 23-25, 15-11) win over NJIT (16-12).

With the victory, the Hornets finish the regular season at 15-10 (7-3 in MEAC). 15 wins are the most for a DSU team since 1991. The Hornets took the first set with a nice offensive effort coming from their two hitters, Joyner and sophomore Erica Tajchman.  They combined for 11 kills and only one error to help propel DSU to the early 1-0 lead. 

NJIT would take the second set after recording a .300 attack percentage and holding Delaware State to only .154. 

The third set would see its ups and downs as the Hornets started with a 12-1 lead only to almost see it disappear.  Elisa Hermann would tally an impressive attack when the play looked to be dead to help DSU take the 2-1 lead in the match. The Highlanders would battle to hold their lead in the fourth set, but would ultimately do so to tie the match up at 2-2.

In the deciding set, Delaware State would show resilience and leadership as they recorded eight kills and only one error (.368 attack percentage) to take the set and the match. 

In addition to Joyner’s double-double, Ashley Herman (12 kills and 12 digs) and Elisa Hermann (10 kills and 14 digs) registered ones of their own to lead the offensive charge.

Setters Sarah Wheatcroft and Martina Ferrari combined for 52 assists (25 and 27 respectively) to lead the Hornets passing.

For NJIT, Baaba Hughes, Katrina Hornstein, and Renata Pandolfo all tallied double-doubles.  Setter Erica Schultz led the Highlanders passing with 47 assists.

DSU is off until next Friday, November 14, when they take on South Carolina State in the first round of the MEAC Tournament.