Volleyball MEAC Media Relations

Joyner Leads DSU To Hornet Invite Sweep

Tournament Most Valuable Player Cassandra Joyner combined for 28 kills, 17 digs and 10 blocks to lead Delaware State to wins over Navy and La Salle today, completing a sweep of three matches at the Hornet Invitational in Memorial Hall this weekend.The Hornets have won five straight matches overall to improve to 6-5 on the season.

Delaware State began the day with a 3-1 victory over Navy (25-20, 19-25, 25-17, 27-25). Joyner recorded a "double-double" in the contest, collecting 15 kills and 11 digs. Erica Tajchman had 11 kills on 24 attempts (.417), while Sarah Wheatcroft was credited with 47 assists. Martini Ferrari contributed a game-high 15 digs to the win.

Abbie Merkyl led Navy with 10 kills, while setter Jenny Rudewicz had a team-high 24 assists.

The Hornets closed out the tournament with a 3-1 win over La Salle (25-14, 25-27, 25-14, 25-20). Tajchman led the way with 15 kills on 24 attacks (.542), and adding six digs. Joyner collected 13 winners and six digs, while Ferrari again led all players with 17 digs. Wheatcroft had 42 assists to go along with seven kills.

Breanna Mazalweski led three La Salle players in double figures with 13 kills. Samantha Tulskie had 10 kills and a team-high 15 digs.

Delaware State posted a .357 attack percentage for the match, recording 62 kills and just 17 errors on 126 attempts.

In addition to Joyner, Tajchman was selected to the Hornet Invitational All-Tournament Team. They were joined on the team La Salle's Stemper, Maida Kalic of Navy, along with Whitney Johnson and Christine Edwards of Maryland-Eastern Shore.

The Hornets return to action next weekend (Sep. 18-19) at the Bucknell Invitational in Lewisburg, Pa.